What are some simple ways to make canned Alfredo sauce taste homemade?
Canned Alfredo sauce provides a quick and convenient base for making creamy pasta dishes, but many find the flavor to be lackluster compared to homemade Alfredo. Luckily, there are several easy ways to elevate canned Alfredo to make it taste like you spent time crafting it from scratch. Here are some tips for sprucing up store-bought Alfredo sauce:
Add extra cheese
One of the hallmarks of homemade Alfredo is that it contains plenty of cheese. Add extra grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese to canned Alfredo before tossing with pasta. The extra cheese amps up the flavor and makes the sauce creamier. Just 1/4 to 1/2 cup extra shredded cheese makes a difference.
Include garlic
Minced garlic is another staple ingredient in homemade Alfredo that is often lacking in the canned versions. Sauté 2-3 cloves of minced garlic in a little olive oil or butter before adding in the canned Alfredo. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes to mellow the raw garlic flavor.
Splash of cream
Heavy cream makes any Alfredo extra luscious. Stir in 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream after heating up the canned Alfredo. The cream contributes richness without thinning out the texture too much.
Lemon zest and juice
A touch of bright citrus can help lift canned Alfredo from flat to fabulous. Add the grated zest of a lemon plus 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice at the end for flavor dimension. The acidity makes the sauce pop.
Fresh herbs
Chopped fresh basil, parsley, oregano, or other soft herbs add vibrancy to Alfredo. Stir in a tablespoon or two of your favorite herbs just before tossing the pasta to keep them bright.
Ground pepper
Don’t be shy with the black pepper! Fresh cracked pepper gives canned Alfredo a spike of flavor. Add up to 1/4 teaspoon or more if you want a real pepper kick.
Nutritional yeast
Nutritional yeast is a savory, nutty seasoning that boosts the umami flavor of Alfredo. Whisk in 1-2 teaspoons to ramp up the cheesy, savory taste.
Sautéed mushrooms
Sautéed mushrooms lend earthiness and texture to canned Alfredo. Cook sliced mushrooms in olive oil or butter until browned and tender before mixing into the heated sauce.
Sundried tomatoes
Chopped sundried tomatoes in oil add concentrated flavor and a pizza-like vibe to Alfredo. For every 1 cup of sauce, add 2-3 tablespoons chopped sundried tomatoes.
Italian seasonings
An Italian herb blend containing basil, oregano, rosemary, etc gives a signature flavor boost. Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon into warmed Alfredo.
Shallots or onions
Cooked minced shallots or onions bring out sweet allium notes. Sauté 1-2 tablespoons worth in olive oil before adding Alfredo.
What cooking techniques can make canned Alfredo taste fresher?
In addition to ingredient additions, certain cooking techniques can lend canned Alfredo a fresher, homemade taste and improved texture. Here are some tips:
Simmer briefly
Bring canned Alfredo to a gentle simmer in a saucepan, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes. This reduces any tinny flavor and melds the ingredients.
Finish with pasta cooking water
Instead of thinning canned Alfredo with cream or milk, use a ladle of starchy pasta cooking water. This adds body and enhances the sauce’s cling factor.
Toss with hot pasta
Always toss canned Alfredo with piping hot just-drained pasta. The heat helps the sauce emulsify and stick to the noodles.
Add sauce to pasta, not vice versa
Pour the Alfredo over the pasta in the pan rather than the other way around. This evenly coats the noodles for the silkiest texture.
Keep it thick
Avoid thinning out canned Alfredo too much. For the creamiest results, keep the consistency luxuriously thick and coat each strand of pasta.
Use large noodles
Thick, ruffled noodles like fettuccine and pappardelle stand up well to thick, rich Alfredo. The large surface area clings to the sauce nicely.
Cook shells separately
For stuffed shells, cook the unfilled pasta first, then fill and bake. This prevents mushy pasta.
Bake at high heat
When baking Alfredo-based casseroles or pasta bakes, use a 425°F oven to brown and crispy up the top to offset the richness.
What ingredients pair well with canned Alfredo sauce?
Canned Alfredo already contains cheese, cream, and seasonings, so it’s versatile to mix with many flavors. Here are some ingredients that pair deliciously with store-bought Alfredo:
| Ingredients | How to Add |
|---|---|
| Chicken | Sauté chunks or shreds and mix into heated Alfredo |
| Shrimp | Sauté tail-off shrimp and toss with Alfredo |
| Broccoli | Blanch florets until tender-crisp and toss with sauce |
| Mushrooms | Sauté sliced mushrooms until browned then add to Alfredo |
| Zucchini | Sauté julienned or spiralized zucchini and mix with heated sauce |
| Spinach | Wilt baby spinach in simmering Alfredo until tender |
| Sundried tomatoes | Chop and add to warmed Alfredo before tossing with pasta |
| Bacon | Chop cooked bacon and sprinkle over Alfredo pasta |
| Parmesan | Top pasta tossed in Alfredo with extra shredded Parmesan |
The creamy base of Alfredo sauce works well with equal parts vegetables, proteins, and extra cheese. Feel free to mix and match your favorites or what you have on hand for an easy meal.
Conclusion
With a few minor tweaks, canned Alfredo sauce can become a quick and tasty stand-in for homemade. Amp up store-bought Alfredo with extra cheese, garlic, herbs, pepper, pasta cooking water, and high-heat baking. Then mix with sautéed veggies, chicken, shrimp or other proteins for a satisfying, fuss-free meal that tastes like you fussed. With the tricks above, no one will guess your secret shortcut of using canned Alfredo.