Quick Answer
There are many easy ways to jazz up and customize store-bought alfredo sauce. Some quick and tasty mix-ins include:
– Sautéed veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or broccoli
– Grated or shredded cheese like parmesan, mozzarella, or cheddar
– Herbs like parsley, basil, oregano, or rosemary
– Spices like garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, or nutmeg
– Cooked chicken, shrimp, or sausage
– Sun-dried tomatoes
– Artichoke hearts
– Sautéed peppers and onions
– Crispy bacon bits
The possibilities are endless! Adding extra ingredients to jarred alfredo is an easy way to make it taste fresher and more homemade. Experiment with different mix-ins to create your own custom alfredo sauce.
What to Consider When Adding to Alfredo Sauce
When doctoring up store-bought alfredo sauce, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Flavor
The mix-ins you choose should complement the flavor of the alfredo. For example, garlic, onion, mushrooms, and spinach are classic alfredo add-ins that enhance the creamy, savory base. On the other hand, something like pineapple would taste odd and out of place. Think about flavor profiles that pair well with cheese, cream, butter, and herbs.
Texture
Aim for mix-ins that provide an interesting contrast of textures. Soft, creamy alfredo sauce benefits from the addition of crisp, crunchy ingredients like broccoli, bacon, or sun-dried tomatoes. Just don’t overdo it on chunky add-ins or the sauce can become too thick.
Purpose
Consider if you want the mix-ins to stretch the alfredo into a main meal or to just add extra flavor. Turning it into a chicken alfredo or shrimp alfredo pasta by sautéing meat makes it more substantial. Sprinkling on just herbs and cheese keeps it a simple sauce.
Complementary Flavors
Choose secondary ingredients that will taste good together, in addition to pairing nicely with alfredo. For example, mushrooms, spinach, and chicken is a classic combination. Artichokes, tomatoes, and basil also go well together.
Preparation
Any vegetables or proteins you add should be cooked first to enhance flavor. Sauté mushrooms, wilt spinach, roast broccoli, grill chicken, etc. before mixing into the alfredo. Don’t just throw in raw ingredients.
Easy Mix-Ins for Store-Bought Alfredo
Here are some of the most popular and delicious ways to spice up a basic jar of alfredo sauce:
Vegetables
– Sautéed mushrooms – Shiitake, cremini, oyster, etc. Chopped or sliced.
– Roasted or sautéed garlic – Minced or crushed.
– Sautéed onion – Diced or sliced yellow, white, or red onion.
-Roasted red peppers – Sliced or diced.
– Steamed or sautéed spinach – Roughly chopped.
– Roasted broccoli or broccolini – Chopped into bite-size florets.
– Sundried tomatoes – Sliced or chopped.
– Roasted zucchini or squash – Diced.
– Sautéed kale – Roughly chopped, stems removed.
Herbs
– Fresh parsley – Chopped.
– Fresh basil – Roughly torn.
– Oregano – Dried or fresh chopped.
– Chives – Thinly sliced.
– Rosemary – Finely minced.
– Thyme – Fresh leaves stripped from stems.
Cheese
– Grated parmesan
– Shredded mozzarella
– Crumbled goat cheese or feta
– Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack
Meat and Seafood
– Cooked chicken – Cubed or shredded.
– Cooked shrimp – Whole or chopped.
– Crumbled bacon or pancetta
– Sausage – Removed from casings and crumbled.
– Clams or mussels – Chopped.
Other Tasty Mix-Ins
– Roasted nuts like almonds, pine nuts, or walnuts
– Sautéed mushrooms
– Crispy prosciutto
– Caramelized onions
– Roasted garlic
– Marinated artichoke hearts
– Diced ham
– Sun-dried tomatoes
Simple Single Add-In Recipes
Here are a few easy recipes for alfredo plus a single mix-in ingredient:
Broccoli Alfredo
Ingredients:
– 1 jar alfredo sauce
– 2 cups broccoli florets, roasted
– 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
– Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
1. Pour alfredo sauce into skillet and heat over medium.
2. Add roasted broccoli florets and heat through, about 2 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and stir in parmesan.
4. Season with black pepper.
Bacon Alfredo
Ingredients:
– 1 jar alfredo sauce
– 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
– 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
– 1/4 cup grated parmesan
Instructions:
1. Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble it.
2. Heat alfredo sauce in skillet over medium.
3. Stir in crumbled bacon and parsley.
4. Remove from heat and mix in parmesan.
Chicken Alfredo
Ingredients:
– 1 jar alfredo sauce
– 1 boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked and cubed
– 1 cup frozen peas
– 1 tsp Italian seasoning
– Grated parmesan for topping
Instructions:
1. Cook chicken breast, let cool, and cut into cubes.
2. Heat alfredo sauce in skillet over medium.
3. Add chicken, peas, and Italian seasoning.
4. Heat through until peas are warmed, about 3 minutes.
5. Serve topped with parmesan.
Shrimp Alfredo
Ingredients:
– 1 jar alfredo sauce
– 12 oz shrimp, cooked
– 1 lemon, zested
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup parsley
Instructions:
1. Sauté shrimp with garlic just until pink.
2. Heat alfredo sauce in skillet over medium.
3. Add shrimp and lemon zest.
4. Remove from heat and stir in parsley.
3-Ingredient Alfredo Recipes
Taking jarred alfredo to the next level is as easy as picking 3 complementary ingredients to mix in. Here are some delicious 3-ingredient alfredo combo ideas:
Mushroom Chicken Alfredo
– Sautéed mushrooms
– Cooked chicken
– Basil
Shrimp and Pepper Alfredo
– Sautéed shrimp
– Roasted red peppers
– Oregano
Broccoli Bacon Alfredo
– Roasted broccoli
– Crispy bacon
– Chives
Spinach Artichoke Alfredo
– Sautéed spinach
– Marinated artichokes
– Lemon zest
Sun-dried Tomato Alfredo
– Sun-dried tomatoes
– Sautéed garlic
– Parmesan
Pesto Chicken Alfredo
– Cooked chicken
– Pesto
– Toasted pine nuts
Vegetable Medley Alfredo
– Roasted veggies (zucchini, peppers, onions, etc)
– Fresh basil
– Goat cheese
Cajun Shrimp Alfredo
– Blackened shrimp
– Roasted red peppers
– Cajun seasoning
Broccoli Cheese Alfredo
– Steamed broccoli
– Cheddar cheese
– Crispy bacon
The possibilities are endless! Use your imagination to come up with your own unique 3-ingredient alfredo recipes.
Full Meal Alfredo Recipes
With a few more mix-ins, you can truly transform basic alfredo sauce into a hearty, robust main meal. Here are some crowd-pleasing, protein-packed alfredo dinner ideas:
Chicken Bacon Ranch Alfredo
Ingredients:
– 1 jar alfredo sauce
– 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
– 1 cup frozen peas
– 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
– 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
– 2 tbsp ranch seasoning
– Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions:
1. Cook chicken breasts and cut into cubes. Cook bacon until crispy then crumble.
2. Heat alfredo sauce in skillet over medium.
3. Add chicken, peas, bacon, parmesan, and ranch seasoning.
4. Heat through until peas are warmed, about 3 minutes.
5. Garnish with chopped parsley.
Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo
Ingredients:
– 1 lb fettuccine, cooked
– 1 jar alfredo sauce
– 12 oz shrimp, cooked
– 1 cup frozen peas
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tsp Italian seasoning
– 1/4 cup parmesan
– Chopped basil for garnish
Instructions:
1. Cook fettuccine according to package directions. Sauté shrimp and garlic.
2. Heat alfredo sauce in skillet over medium.
3. Add shrimp, peas, and Italian seasoning.
4. Toss fettuccine with alfredo sauce mixture and parmesan.
5. Garnish with fresh basil.
Broccoli Chicken Alfredo Baked Ziti
Ingredients:
– 1 jar alfredo sauce
– 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
– 2 cups steamed broccoli florets
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella
– 12 oz ziti pasta, cooked
– 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
– 2 tbsp parmesan
Instructions:
1. Cook ziti according to package directions.
2. Heat alfredo sauce with chicken and broccoli.
3. Toss ziti with alfredo mixture.
4. Transfer to baking dish and top with mozzarella.
5. Mix breadcrumbs with parmesan and sprinkle on top.
6. Bake at 375°F until hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes.
Sausage Mushroom Alfredo
Ingredients:
– 1 lb penne pasta, cooked
– 1 jar alfredo sauce
– 1 lb Italian sausage, removed from casings
– 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
– 1 onion, diced
– 1 cup frozen peas
– Grated parmesan
– 2 tbsp fresh basil
Instructions:
1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Sauté mushrooms, onion, and sausage until browned.
3. Heat alfredo sauce in skillet over medium.
4. Add vegetable and sausage mixture along with peas.
5. Toss pasta with alfredo sauce and top with parmesan and basil.
Seafood Alfredo Bake
Ingredients:
– 8 oz fettuccine, cooked
– 1 jar alfredo sauce
– 8 oz shrimp, tails removed
– 8 oz crab meat
– 1 cup frozen peas
– 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup parmesan
– 2 tbsp fresh parsley
Instructions:
1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Heat alfredo sauce with shrimp, crab, and peas.
3. Toss pasta with seafood alfredo sauce.
4. Transfer to baking dish and top with breadcrumb-parmesan mixture.
5. Bake at 400°F until hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley.
The possibilities are endless for turning store-bought alfredo into a hearty dinner! Try out different add-ins and recipes to create your family’s new favorite alfredo meals.
How to Make Alfredo Sauce from Scratch
While adding mix-ins to jarred sauce is easy, you can also make homemade alfredo sauce from scratch. Here is a simple recipe and instructions:
Ingredients:
– 1/4 cup butter
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– 1 1/4 cups freshly grated parmesan
– 1/4 cup chopped parsley
– Black pepper
– Pasta of choice
Instructions:
1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
2. Pour in heavy cream and whisk until smooth and starting to thicken, about 5 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and whisk in 3/4 cup of the parmesan until smooth.
4. Season with salt and pepper. For a thinner sauce, gradually whisk in more cream.
5. Toss with cooked pasta and top with remaining 1/2 cup parmesan and chopped parsley.
This easy homemade alfredo sauce has a wonderfully rich, creamy flavor that’s better than the store-bought jars. Once you have the basic recipe down, you can add any extra ingredients you like. Homemade is best!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about making store-bought alfredo sauce better:
What ingredients can I add to bottled alfredo sauce?
Some of the best mix-ins are vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli, proteins like chicken or shrimp, herbs, spices, cheeses, bacon, roasted garlic, sundried tomatoes, and many other ingredients.
Is it better to use jarred or homemade alfredo sauce?
Homemade alfredo generally tastes fresher and richer. However, jarred sauces can still be great with extra mix-ins. Make homemade when you have time and use jarred when you need convenience.
What’s the best way to cook shrimp for alfredo?
Sauté shrimp briefly in olive oil or butter just until opaque and pink throughout – no need to overcook. Chop or leave whole to add to alfredo.
Can I make alfredo sauce thicker?
Yes, simmer it over low heat to reduce excess liquid and thicken the sauce. You can also whisk in a little flour, cornstarch, or heavy cream.
How can I make alfredo sauce healthier?
Substitute chicken or veggie broth for some of the heavy cream. Use part-skim mozzarella or parmesan. Increase veggies and use whole wheat pasta. Use olive oil instead of butter.
Conclusion
Jarred alfredo sauce may seem basic, but it can be elevated into a tasty dish by getting creative with mix-ins. Vegetables, herbs, spices, cheeses, meats, and other ingredients all complement the rich, creamy base sauce beautifully. Just sauté or roast add-ins first to boost the flavors. Turn alfredo into a hearty dinner by adding chicken, shrimp, or sausage. For the freshest taste, learn how to whip up alfredo sauce from scratch. With a few easy customizations, store-bought alfredo goes from boring to gourmet!