Weeknight, Light(er) Alfredo Sauce

I like to have a collection of dinner recipes that I always have the ingredients on hand, can be thrown together quick, and all members of my family will eat it. This is a tall order for a recipe, but this simple, fast, and delicious alfredo sauce fits the bill!

I wouldn’t classify this as health food by any means, but it is made using much lighter ingredients than traditional alfredo sauce, but doesn’t taste any less creamy and delicious. It comes together in a snap, and is delicious on pasta, pizza, over vegetables, for dipping… It’s versatile and delicious and we eat it often!

One of my favorite things to do with this alfredo sauce is to use it for a pasta bar! A pasta bar is a fantastic way to feed a crowd. It is simple to put together and a total crowd pleaser, because everyone can make exactly what they want. Kids can have spaghetti and meatballs and adults can load up a delicious loaded pasta plate. It’s perfect for big groups!

Here are some suggestions for what to set out:

Pasta

Angel Hair, Bowtie, Penne, Fettuccine,

Sauces

Marinara, Alfredo, Pesto

Proteins

Chicken, bacon, meatballs

Vegetables/Toppings

Peas, asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, sun dried tomatoes, tomatoes, peppers, parmesan cheese, broccoli, sautéed onions, crispy onion straws

You can go as loaded or as simple as you want! But one thing you absolutely need in your pasta bar is this alfredo sauce. That jarred garbage is just terrible, and this sauce is too quick and easy to miss!

This recipe uses grated parmesan cheese. I sometimes have a block of parmesan that I’ll grate up, but more often than not I use this:

I have even made it with the powdered kind in the shaker bottle, and it turns out fine! I prefer it with grated-style parmesan, but honestly can’t tell the different between freshly grated and the pre-grated stuff.

This was dinner for us a few nights ago. Pasta, peas, Alfredo sauce, and grilled chicken. It was simple, delicious, and everyone ate it with zero bribery or threats. Slam. Dunk.

You need this is in your life! It’s so much lighter than traditional alfredo, so much less effort, but so SO delicious. Try it and you’ll be hooked and making a regular appearance on your dinner table.