Alfredo sauce is a classic creamy white sauce made from butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese. It’s a versatile sauce that goes well with all kinds of pasta, chicken, shrimp, and vegetables. While the original Alfredo recipe calls for just a few simple ingredients, many cooks like to add extra flavors and textures to make it their own. So what ingredients make the best additions to Alfredo sauce? Here are some of the most popular mix-ins to consider.
Meat
Adding cooked meat to Alfredo sauce is a great way to turn it into a heartier and more filling main dish. Some good meat choices include:
- Chicken – Diced, shredded or grilled chicken breasts or thighs
- Bacon – Crispy chopped bacon adds a smoky salty flavor
- Ham or Prosciutto – Diced ham or crispy prosciutto add a salty punch
- Sausage – Cooked and crumbled Italian sausage adds spice and richness
- Seafood – Shrimp, scallops or lobster meat work well in seafood Alfredo
The added protein makes the sauce much more substantial. Just sauté or cook the meat first before mixing it into the hot finished sauce. Keep the meat bite-sized so it coats nicely with sauce.
Vegetables
Mixing in vegetables is an easy way to add more nutrients, color and texture to Alfredo. Some good veggie options include:
- Broccoli – Small chopped florets add color and a healthy boost
- Peas – Frozen peas add pops of green and sweetness
- Spinach – Fresh baby spinach wilts nicely into the sauce
- Mushrooms – Sautéed mushrooms add an earthy, meaty quality
- Zucchini – Julienned or roasted zucchini add summer flavor
- Sun-dried Tomatoes – Intense umami tomato flavor
Most vegetables should be cooked first before mixing into the Alfredo to soften them up. You can sauté the veggies in a skillet first or roast them in the oven to caramelize them.
Herbs, Spices & Garlic
Fresh or dried herbs, spices and garlic can transform basic Alfredo into something spectacular. Consider mixing in any of the following:
- Parsley – Fresh chopped parsley adds brightness
- Basil – The classic complement to Italian dishes
- Oregano – Earthy dried oregano adds savory depth
- Red Pepper Flakes – A pinch adds a spicy kick
- Garlic – Minced or roasted garlic amps up the flavor
- Cajun Seasoning – The blend of spices gives a southern flair
- Ginger – Fresh grated ginger adds a little heat
The sauce will absorb all the flavor of the herbs and spices, so add them in early while simmering. Start with small amounts and adjust to your taste preferences.
Cheese
Of course, cheese is already a major component of Alfredo. But for extra creaminess, you can mix in additional cheeses. Some melty options include:
- Mozzarella – Fresh mozzarella adds stretch
- Fontina – Nutty, melty Italian cheese
- Gorgonzola – Crumbles add tangy bite
- Gruyere – Swiss cheese gets ultra creamy when melted
- Cheddar – Sharp cheddar adds bold cheese flavor
- Parmesan – More finely grated parmesan boosts the cheesiness
Grate, crumble or dice the cheese small and stir it in at the end of cooking until melted through. The sauce may need a splash of cream or milk to thin it out after adding extra cheese.
Other Flavor Boosters
A few other ingredients to consider adding to really make Alfredo pop:
- Mustard – A teaspoon of Dijon or whole grain adds tang
- Hot Sauce – A couple shakes adds mild heat
- Lemon Juice – Brightens up the flavor
- White Wine – A splash of white wine adds acidity
- Nutritional Yeast – Adds savory, nutty flavor
- Nuts – Chopped walnuts, pine nuts or almonds add crunch
Use a restrained hand with these add-ins as they can quickly dominate the flavor. But they help add lots of flavor complexity.
What to Avoid Adding to Alfredo
While Alfredo sauce welcomes lots of mix-in ingredients, there are a few things that don’t work as well:
- Tomato sauce or paste – The acidity clashes with the cream
- Olives – Can make the sauce taste greasy and salty
- Too much lemon juice – Can curdle the cream if overdone
- Sugar – Not needed with all the other flavors
- Flour – Not necessary as a thickener
- Heavy spices – Can overpower the delicate sauce
The richness of Alfredo sauce works best when you let the main ingredients like the butter, cream and cheese shine.
Tips for Adding Mix-Ins
Here are some top tips for seamlessly incorporating add-ins into Alfredo sauce:
- Cook meats, seafood and veggies before adding to prevent changing the texture.
- Keep pieces small or thin so they coat nicely with sauce.
- Add fresh herbs at the end for optimal flavor and color.
- Stir in extra cheeses just until melted to prevent clumping.
- Mix in strong flavors like garlic, spices and lemon juice gradually.
- Thin out sauce with extra cream or milk if needed after adding mix-ins.
- Season with salt and pepper after adding ingredients to adjust flavor.
Taste the Alfredo after each addition and adjust seasonings as needed. The sauce ingredients should complement each other, not compete.
Best Alfredo Sauce Add-In Combinations
Some winning mixes of Alfredo sauce add-ins include:
- Chicken, sun-dried tomatoes & spinach
- Shrimp, lemon & parsley
- Broccoli & sausage
- Mushroom, garlic & rosemary
- Bacon, peas & parmesan
Play around with textures and flavors that work together like crispy bacon and soft peas. Don’t go overboard with too many additions or the flavors will get muddled.
How to Make Alfredo Sauce From Scratch
Before mixing in additions, start with a basic homemade Alfredo like this:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 1⁄2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and simmer for 5 minutes, then reduce heat to low.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese slowly until melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
- Mix in any additional ingredients of your choice.
- Toss sauce with cooked pasta and serve immediately.
This easy homemade sauce comes together in just 10 minutes. Feel free to experiment with adaptations using your favorite add-ins.
Converting Jarred Alfredo Sauce
Store-bought Alfredo sauce works too. Opt for a quality sauce without a lot of preservatives or additives. To doctor it up:
- Sauté meats, seafood or veggies first before mixing in.
- Stir in a little extra cream or milk to thin it out if needed.
- Mix in fresh herbs, lemon juice, garlic or spices for extra flavor.
- Add a handful of shredded extra cheese like mozzarella, Parmesan or Fontina.
Jarred sauces tend to be thinner than homemade, so they work well with mix-ins. Heat it up and simmer for a few minutes to meld the flavors before tossing with pasta.
Toppings for Alfredo Dishes
In addition to mixing ingredients right into the sauce, you can also sprinkle toppings over finished Alfredo pasta dishes:
- Shredded cheese – mozzarella, Parmesan, cheddar
- Chopped herbs – parsley, basil, oregano, chives
- Crushed red pepper or black pepper
- Toasted breadcrumbs or panko
- Chopped nuts – pine nuts, walnuts, almonds
- Lemon zest
These add extra flavor, texture and visual appeal. Grated hard cheese will also help keep the pasta creamy by preventing noodles from sticking.
Serving Ideas for Alfredo Dishes
Rich and saucy Alfredo pairs perfectly with several recipes:
- Pasta – Fettuccine, linguine, penne, tortellini
- Chicken – Baked chicken breasts, chicken parmesan
- Shrimp – Baked or sautéed shrimp scampi
- Vegetables – Steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus or zucchini
- Soups – Stir into potato, cauliflower or broccoli cheese soup
- Casseroles – Mix into chicken, rice or tuna casseroles
For a complete meal, serve pasta Alfredo dishes with a light salad or fresh breadsticks. The possibilities are nearly endless for how to customize Alfredo with mix-ins and toppings to suit your taste.
Conclusion
Upgrading basic Alfredo sauce is a simple way to create spectacular pasta dishes, casseroles, chicken and more. Meat, veggies, herbs, spices and extra cheese all make tasty additions that complement the signature butter, cream and Parmesan. Sauté meats and veggies, stir in fresh herbs at the end and add cheese just until melted. Combinations like chicken and spinach, shrimp and lemon-parsley or broccoli and sausage create next-level flavor. Top off your Alfredo pasta with shredded cheese, chopped herbs and crushed red pepper. Homemade sauce is easy, but jarred Alfredo can work too. Let your creativity run wild to invent your own signature Alfredo recipes.