By EMILY M ALEXANDER
Ways To Boost Store-Bought Alfredo Sauce
Adding cheese enriches the creaminess, texture, and flavor of store-bought Alfredo. It adds a deeper layer of salty, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
Extra Cheese
Select the type and amount of cheese according to personal preferences and add it as the sauce simmers. Parmesan, Pecorino, Asiago, Gruyère, mozzarella, or blue cheese work well.
Marinara is a tomato-based sauce containing spices like oregano, basil, and thyme. Adding it to Alfredo creates a creamy red sauce, combining the best of both options.
Add Marinara
Use a store-bought version with your preferred flavor profile, or make your own by simmering tomatoes with herbs. Adjust the proportions of the two sauces to fit your tastes.
Pesto is a dense blend of basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Combining the two sauces creates a creamy pesto Alfredo that pairs well with many dishes.
Mix In Pesto
Stir a couple of large tablespoons of the classic basil pesto into the alfredo sauce, or experiment with other pesto varieties like artichoke, lemon-pistachio, or sun-dried tomato.
Roasted garlic imparts rich, deep flavors which enhance the Alfredo sauce while avoiding the raw garlic’s sharpness. Sautéed garlic is another more pungent option.
Roasted Garlic
Use fresh garlic if possible and adjust the amount of garlic based on personal taste and the preferences of those you are cooking for. Add the garlic to the sauce while it simmers.
Herbs like oregano, thyme, rosemary, and fresh basil enhance the depth and complexity of the sauce’s flavor. Spices like black pepper and nutmeg also work well.
Herbs And Spices
Add dried herbs and spices while the sauce simmers and fresh herbs at the end as a garnish. Start with small amounts and taste after each addition to avoid overpowering the sauce.