The Savory Upgrade That Transforms Jarred Alfredo Sauce

Traditionally made with melted butter, plenty of grated Parmesan, and starchy pasta water, a classic Alfredo sauce doesn’t actually contain any cream, despite its rich and luxurious consistency. This simple three-ingredient recipe shines because it allows the savory flavor of the salty Parmesan to come to the fore. However, as this Italian sauce was slowly adapted here in America, it came to include cream and was often served with chicken. Many jarred Alfredos include cream as a key ingredient to give the sauce a velvety mouthfeel, but this mellow dairy product can also temper the intensity of the cheese. To give your jarred Alfredo sauce a savory upgrade, pour it straight into the skillet in which you’ve prepared your accompanying chicken so it can meld with the umami drippings sticking to the base of the pan.

As any keen cook knows, searing a piece of chicken in a hot pan with a knob of butter is a basic trick that gives it an enhanced taste and golden color. Do it right, and you’ll be blessed with lots of brown bits at the bottom of your skillet that are packed with caramelized flavor. Known as fond, these almost-sticky brown particles are a powerhouse of umami and can be dislodged with a liquid, such as water, stock, or jarred Alfredo, to make a flavorful pan sauce. Simply remove your chicken and pour your jar of sauce directly into your hot pan so it can help the fond come away.

Give your Alfredo sauce a stir as it heats through to encourage all the flavors to meld together before adding it to your cooked fettuccine or any other noodles of choice. You should find that the sauce develops a slightly darker color and toasty aroma as it combines with the chicken drippings. Better yet, any seasonings, such as garlic powder or chili flakes, that you might have coated your chicken with before frying will also help to flavor the sauce, producing a finished dish with a harmonious taste. Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from heating up your sauce separately, but why not benefit from those yummy, super-savory flecks of concentrated goodness that are stuck to the pan?

Adding a splash of white balsamic vinegar to store-bought Alfredo sauce brightens it up and cuts through some of its richness; however, if you want to double down on its intense savoriness, consider frying some pancetta in your skillet before pouring in your jarred sauce. This move will lend your Alfredo a glossier appearance and a saltier umami note. Other unexpected ways to upgrade Alfredo sauce include adding a spoonful of pesto for an herbier vibe, mixing in some colorful cherry tomatoes, or scattering over some chopped chili peppers for warmth and vibrancy.