Fettuccine Alfredo is a classic Italian pasta dish that is now a favourite in many homes all across the world. It is made with fresh fettuccine which is mixed with parmesan cheese and butter which turns into a rich and silky sauce when melted together.
Alfredo is especially popular in America and has evolved to include other ingredients. Some people love to add broccoli, chicken, shrimp or turkey to their Alfredo pasta to add another layer of flavour and texture to the dish.
You can even use Alfredo sauce on other dishes such as on pizza toppings, casseroles and more.
Making your own alfredo sauce can be a little bit of a hassle at times, however. We've got a list of the best store-bought alfredo sauce that you can use to quickly and easily satisfy both your tummy and your taste buds.
Best Pick
The best buy is the Bertolli Alfredo Sauce. This sauce can be immediately and easily consumed without much prior preparation.
It has 10g of fat, 40mg of cholesterol and 410mg of sodium per serving which isn't excessive for your daily recommended amount. To enjoy, simply heat the sauce, pour over pasta and it's ready.
Budget Pick
The best budget is the Simply Organic Alfredo Seasoning Mix. This seasoning mix is certified organic, is suitable for those who enjoy a Kosher diet and promotes sustainable living and opportunities for farming communities.
This product can be used immediately or as an extra ingredient in your homemade sauce, and its versatility is unmatched.
Quick Comparison: Top 10 Store-Bought Alfredo Sauce
1. Bertolli Alfredo Sauce
To begin, let’s introduce the Bertolli Alfredo Sauce. With only 110 calories per serving (61g), this sauce can be enjoyed without you having to worry about your waistline.
This product has 10g of fat, 40mg of cholesterol and 410mg of sodium per serving.
Bertolli Alfredo Sauce does not go overboard with its nutrition so, once again, you won't have to worry about indulging in this sauce once in a while.
Of course, what's just as important as nutritional information in a product is also how it tastes. Bertolli has the classic Alfredo flavour which is creamy, cheesy and buttery.
If you're a big fan of a strong cheese flavour in your pasta (without going overboard), Bertolli Alfredo Sauce is the one for you. To use, simply heat the desired amount of sauce and serve with your pasta.
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2. Simply Organic Alfredo Seasoning Mix
The second product in our list is certified organic and 1% of its sales is used to support further organic farming and promote education.
If you eat only kosher foods, you'll be pleased to know that the Simply Organic alfredo sauce is kosher too, so you won't have to miss out on an instant Italian favourite.
This product comes in a pack of 12 which is great if you like to stock up on food or if you feed a lot of people. Using this product may take more time and effort in the kitchen compared to ready-made sauces. T
o use the Simply Organic Alfredo Seasoning Mix, begin by heating 1 and a half cups of milk and 1 and a half tablespoons of butter until the butter has melted.
Then, add the alfredo contents in the packet to the same pan and stir for 5 minutes (on medium heat).
Finally, add grated parmesan cheese to the sauce and pour over your pasta as desired. This product only has 35 calories per serving, but be careful as the number of calories will increase according to the milk, butter and cheese that you will need to add.
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3. Knorr Alfredo Pasta Sauce Mix
This versatile pasta sauce mix by Knorr also pairs well with vegetables, as a pizza topping, and of course with your fettuccine.
To make, heat up some milk and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the powder provided depending on how many people you will be feeding.
Then, add butter (and any other seasonings of your choice) to the milk and stir until ready. This entire process should only take 5-7 minutes.
In a single packet, there are 182 calories and 1816mg of sodium which is almost as much as the daily recommended amount.
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4. McCormick Parmesan Alfredo Pasta Sauce & Seasoning Mix
This product is not a sauce unlike some of the other products in this list but a seasoning mix that can be added on top of your meals for the classic alfredo taste.
To use as a sauce, it is recommended that you spread the mix into heated milk and butter before pouring the mix over your pasta once thickened.
What makes this product convenient compared to other products is that you won't have to add any parmesan cheese (unless you're a cheese fanatic!) as the seasoning mix already includes parmesan.
Alfredo is a family favourite so you'll be glad to know that this product has no artificial flavour or MSGs so you can ensure your family are eating as nutritionally as possible.
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5. Classico Asiago Romano Alfredo Sauce Light
For those who are conscious about their weight but still want to enjoy the taste of alfredo, the Classico Asiago Romano Alfredo Sauce is the perfect option for you.
Compared to the original version of the Classico Asiago, the light version has 65% less fat and 55% fewer calories.
The jar comes with only 45 calories per serving, unlike the 180 calories the original sauce provides.
Another unique factor about this sauce is that it is made with asiago and romano cheese which adds a unique flavour compared to other sauces that only has parmesan cheese.
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6. McCormick Pasta Sauce Blend - Creamy Garlic Alfredo
Though we’ve already mentioned one product by McCormick already, this particular alfredo sauce has a unique factor: its garlic flavour.
To use this sauce, stir milk into a saucepan with the sauce until they have both blended together. Once this is done, add butter to the mix and wait for it to blend and come to a boil.
Then, allow the sauce to simmer for 2 minutes as it thickens up. You may want to be careful with this product, however, as there are 491 calories in each serving of the alfredo sauce. Be mindful of this if you like to watch what you eat and keep track of your weight.
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7. Stonewall Kitchen Basil Alfredo Pasta Sauce
The next product in this list is the Stonewall Kitchen Basil Alfredo Pasta Sauce.
Stonewall Kitchen is an award-winning brand that specialises in gourmet food.
The Basil Alfredo sauce is rich and ready-made, so you can have a flavoursome meal without putting in any effort.
This product is also great for those who are serving up a dish to family and friends, as its fresh flavour makes it hard to believe that it’s ready-made.
This sauce is made from light cream that ensures major creaminess and satisfaction with every bite, making it a wonderful choice for other dishes with vegetables or seafood.
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8. DeLallo Creamy Alfredo Sauce
This sauce, layered with Parmesan, grated garlic and black pepper is another great alfredo sauce option.
To make the most out of this product, you may need to spend some time in the kitchen, however.
If you enjoy chopping and cooking away in the kitchen, you may enjoy using the DeLallo sauce to mix in with your other ingredients.
To prepare, it is recommended that you start with cooking your pasta until it is al dente. Make sure to keep half a cup of the water you cooked the pasta in.
Whilst you are cooking the pasta, get some butter and cream and pour into a large skillet. Use low heat to simmer this mixture for a couple of minutes. Once this is done, it is time to add the DeLallo sauce into the skillet to mix in with your butter and cream.
Once you have taken off the skillet from the heat, add your cheeses of choice and some sour cream. The sauce is now ready.
If you find that your sauce is too thick, you can use some of the reserved pasta water to thin it out. This product has only 80 calories per serving but be mindful that your added cheeses, butter and other ingredients will add on some calories also.
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9. Rao’s Homemade Alfredo Sauce
If you love to buy from local/family-owned businesses, Rao's Homemade Alfredo Sauce is exactly that.
There are around 100 calories per serving of this product, 410mg of sodium, 3g of protein and 50mg of cholesterol which are all in a healthy range for your recommended daily amount.
This sauce can be used on its own or blended with more cheese and butter to your liking.
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10. Sacla Italia Alfredo Roman Recipe White Pasta Sauce
The last product in our list is the Sacla Italia Alfredo Roman Recipe. This sauce is essentially alfredo sauce with black truffle - perfect for those who want a richer and fancier taste.
As truffles grow predominantly in Italy and are hard to come by in the USA, this product is a great way to get your truffle fix.
Sacla is a family-run Italian business that has been providing authentic Italian tastes for 75 years.
With around 160 calories per serving, 35mg of cholesterol and 2g of protein, the nutrition facts seem quite compatible for the average person. Be wary of the sodium level, however, as there are 750mg per serving which is 33% of your daily recommended amount.
To use, you can simply heat the sauce and pour over pasta, or you can add your own desired ingredients such as chicken, shrimp, mushrooms or vegetables.Pros
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Things to Consider Before Buying Store Bought Alfredo Sauce
Source: youtube.com
Alfredo, named after the creator of the dish who first introduced it in his restaurant in the early 20th century, has changed a lot since it was first introduced.
Though many versions of the dish are still enjoyed in the traditional version of the dish (with butter and parmesan cheese), there are now newer variations of the meal in modern society and America.
Alfredo became popular in America in the 1920s but in most recent years, became even more famous as many casual restaurant chains now include the dish on their menu.
Nowadays, though the dish is still widely enjoyed with parmesan cheese and butter, there are many other variations of the dish too. Such variations include chicken alfredo with broccoli, zucchini or cilantro, ham or shrimp alfredo, or you can even enjoy the same flavours in the form of a casserole. You can also use milk and other types of cheese for a unique flavour.
To make the traditional fettuccine dish, you must cook butter and parmesan cheese together so that they both mix - creating a thick and rich sauce. The ideal type of pasta to use with the sauce is fettuccine which is flat and thick, but modern dishes can use different noodles instead.
Cooking up such a dish may take time and effort. Nowadays, because the taste is so popular, you can easily find store-bought alfredo sauce that can be used to effortlessly give you fantastic tasting alfredo.
There are many different types of store-bought alfredo sauce on the market, so here are some things to consider before venturing out to buy some for yourself.
Preparation
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One of the most important things to consider before buying alfredo sauce from the store is whether you can use the sauce instantly or whether you will need to still do some cooking in the kitchen.
Some of the products in this list are alfredo seasoning mixes that are intended to be used alongside other ingredients. Though you can get a great alfredo flavour from simply mixing butter and cheese together, alfredo flavoured seasonings add a little extra yumminess to your sauce to make your meal taste that much more authentic.
Sometimes, milk can also be used to make the sauce as it offers a rich and creamy texture once done. Be mindful that you don’t add all of the ingredients in at once. Depending on the recipe of the sauce, you may need to heat milk and butter together first and add cheese into the mix last, or you may be able to add the cheese first. This all depends on the cooking instructions on the packet of your alfredo sauce of choice.
To understand which product is best suitable for you, think about the kind of lifestyle you live and who you will be cooking for. If you are only cooking for yourself and have time on your hands (and enjoy being in the kitchen), seasoning mixes may be a great option for you.
Alternatively, if you are a busy person and do not enjoy cooking all that much, ready-made and instant alfredo sauce may be a better fit. These are also a great option for when you want to cook with little children or if you have health issues that prevent you from cooking too much.
Ingredients
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Next, knowing the ingredients in your store-bought alfredo sauce is essential. Not only will this dictate how healthy or unhealthy the product is, but it will also inform you of whether it is suitable for your diet.
If you are allergic to certain ingredients or have dietary requirements and preferences, please make sure to check the ingredients list on the packet before purchasing.
Most of the products mentioned include milk in them which may be an issue if you are lactose intolerant or vegan. There are also a limited amount of vegan versions of store-bought alfredo sauce, so be mindful if you enjoy a plant-based diet.
Some store-bought alfredo sauce includes an ingredient called corn starch which may cause some inflammation in your body. If you are particularly health-conscious, be mindful of such ingredients in a jar or packet before you purchase it.
Nutritional Value
Following on from the previous section, knowing the nutritional value of the food you consume is never a bad idea. This can determine how many calories you are consuming, how high the sodium, fat and cholesterol levels are and how much protein you could be getting in your sauce.
Try to learn what the daily recommended amounts are for each ingredient and whether or not consuming a particular source will be too excessive for you or not.
Store-bought alfredo sauce can range from being healthy to not so healthy based on what is inside it. Many traditional family recipes can be on the healthier side versus mixes or sauces that have been heavily processed.
That doesn’t necessarily have to be bad, however. The more processed a product is, the longer it can last in your pantry - which may be a great solution for you if buying groceries is a nuisance or takes up a lot of your time.
Regardless, it's a great idea to know what's going into your body. If you try to be as healthy as possible, check the ingredient's list on the back of your sauce. If the list is pretty short and you know what most of the ingredients are, it's most likely a good option for you.
Versatility
Alfredo can be a very versatile dish, but which sauce you go for can determine which dishes you can use it with or not.
Some popular alternative alfredo dishes aside from pasta include casseroles, using it as a dip for veggies or chips, or pouring it over baked halibut.
These can all easily be done with instant and ready to use alfredo sauce, but perhaps not with alfredo seasoning mixes unless you add the mix to a liquid base. You can still use the seasonings on other versatile dishes such as a topping on pizza or over nachos/chips.
Think about whether you would like to use the alfredo sauce just for your pasta or if you like the idea of enjoying it in other ways. This should help you decide which type of store-bought alfredo sauce to go for.
Lifespan
Another key area to consider before buying store-bought alfredo sauce is how long the sauce will last. Some sauces can last several years if they haven't been opened which is great if you like to stock up on food or buy them in bulk.
You may need to keep some sauces refrigerated to ensure it doesn’t go bad quickly. With powders and seasonings, you won’t have to do this, and you can keep them in a dry place in such as your pantry.
The ingredients in your sauce will dictate how long it will be good for. Some sauces do not contain any preservatives in them which will mean that they will only be consumable for around four or five days once it has been opened.
Be mindful of how you store your alfredo sauce as this can greatly influence the lifespan of the sauce.
Conclusion
Store-bought alfredo can be a great option whether you live alone or if you often cook for your family and friends. The options that are available today are fantastic for those who aren't very good in the kitchen and simply want a quick, delicious meal or if you like to spice things up in the kitchen with different flavours.
Store-bought alfredo sauce is a fantastic option if you are craving authentic Italian flavours but do not wish to spend extra money on eating out at an Italian restaurant.
Because alfredo is such a versatile flavour that can be used with many different types of dishes, it is important to know which product to go for when choosing, so that you end up with the best store-bought alfredo sauce that you will not be disappointed in.
We hope that this article has given you some insight on which types of store-bought alfredo sauces there are on the market today, how to use them, and what to look out for before buying your own.
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