A store-bought alfredo sauce that should be on your shopping list constantly

Handmade alfredo sauce sometimes lacks the authenticity of store-bought varieties, making you wish you’d grabbed your pot and spatula earlier. With the exception of Giovanni Rana, we tested fourteen varieties of Jarred Alfredo sauce before settling on #1. This store-bought jar immediately impressed me with its excellent ingredient list. It starts with heavy cream, which is a pleasant change from the sauce that lists water first, followed by Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Pasta lovers understand that the key to a good alfredo sauce is achieving the smoothness and flavor of dairy, even in vegetarian versions. This is why vegan versions rely on buttery nuts (like cashews) to mimic the original, rich flavor.

Giovanni goes a little further with Rana’s sauce, which is richer and creamier than other pasta sauces because heavy cream is the main ingredient. Having said that, the real deal is in the taste of the sauce. It expertly blends Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses to boost the flavor that’s diminished by the sweetness of the heavy cream. With every mouthful, you can discover a strong, salty punch infused with the aroma of garlic, which provides the most delightful sensation. After tasting this premium sauce, people will probably agree that it is on par with the handmade variety, second only by a small margin.

Rao’s Homemade Alfredo Sauce is one store-bought Alfredo sauce that deserves to be a regular on your grocery list. Real Parmesan and Romano cheese, fresh milk and butter are some of the premium ingredients that make up Rao’s Alfredo sauce, renowned for its rich, creamy texture and true Italian flavor. This dedication to excellence is synonymous with handcrafted taste, offering a posh and perfect experience in every bite. Its appeal is further enhanced by the lack of artificial preservatives and additives, making it a healthier option compared to many other commercial sauces.

Beyond traditional fettuccine alfredo, Rao’s Alfredo sauce can be used in many recipes. It’s a great base for rich casseroles, a decadent glaze for roast chicken, or a fun dip for vegetables and breadsticks. Thanks to its excellent flavor profile, you can easily transform a weeknight dinner into something exceptional with very little effort. Rao’s Homemade Alfredo Sauce is a pantry staple that ensures you always have a tasty and practical option, whether you’re a busy professional, a parent looking for a quick dinner option, or a quality-conscious individual.

Read more: 26 Types Of Pasta Sauce Explained

Exactly What A Store-Bought Alfredo Sauce Should Be

Giovanni Rana has set the standard for what store-bought Alfredo sauce should be, flavorful, rich and simply fantastic. Anything less will require you to adjust it with more ingredients or cooking methods, which means you’re better off starting from scratch. However, if time is of the essence, a cursory glance at the ingredient list will point you in the right direction for the ideal store-bought alfredo sauce. Dairy-based sauce bases tend to have a stronger texture and flavor. A thick, robust sauce is guaranteed by using heavy cream, which also prevents the ingredients from separating into a gooey mass.

Other things to check for a store-bought sauce include whether it has an aftertaste and how well it adheres to the pasta. Sadly, you can’t tell the “stickiness” of a sauce just by peeking into the jar; But, if the sauce is touching your pasta, you will notice it slowly. We believe that consuming sauces with a chemical aftertaste is one of the most unsafe types. Even our suggestion to sprinkle in some infused oil won’t cut it in this case, as the strong flavor of the sauce overpowers the pasta and makes you regret the day you bought it.

READ | This is everything you need to know about the “fried rice syndrome” that killed a 20-year-old.

READ | Bobby Flay’s go-to barbecue sauce that’s always in his pantry

---