Buttery Lemon Pasta With Almonds and Arugula Recipe
Taste-Off: The Best Pre-made Alfredo Sauces – And The Gloopy Ones
When it comes to jarred Alfredo sauce, there are two camps: Those who do, and those who don't. And to be clear, those who don't, really, truly don't. Ever. They don't buy it because they either prefer to make it from scratch, or they have no idea why they might want a jar or two in their pantry, especially if they are not fans of fettucine Alfredo.
That brings us to those who do, which is clearly a huge contingent of home cooks, as store shelves are stacked with Alfredo options. For these people, what's inside the jar is not just a creamy, comforting alternative to tomato-based pasta or pizza sauce. It's an appetizer, a meal starter, a finish sauce.
Alfredo can be slathered on pasta, chicken or fish or drizzled on cauliflower or roasted vegetables. It can be stirred into marinara, used as a base for soup or a creamy casserole or poured into a fondue pot for an instant hot dip.
The problem with jarred Alfredo, of course, is that it requires such things as stabilizers and gums, ingredients not typically used when the sauce is made fresh. The challenge is to make sure that those additives don't dull the flavors of the star ingredients — cream and cheese — and that the texture is as luxurious and velvety as authentic Alfredo.
Good Alfredo sauce is a decadent, cheese-forward cream sauce that delivers layers of flavor, a touch of salt and umami richness. Bad Alfredo sauce is salty, flavorless or so full of additives, it's just plain gross.
Here's the scoop on rich, comforting, pre-made Alfredo sauces that will transform food into a more delicious version of itself — and the sauce fails that should never have made it into the jar, much less to store shelves. Nutrition info refers to 1/4 cup of sauce.
Rao's Homemade AlfredoCreamy, buttery and packed with cheese flavor, this rich, mouthwatering sauce wins. It's dense, complex flavor will upscale any dish. 100 calories, 9 g fat, 420 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 3 g protein. $10.99 for 15 ounces at Safeway. (4 stars)
Bertolli D'Italia Four Cheese AlfredoDelicate seasonings and four different kinds of cheese make this thick blend a yummy, velvety choice. It's clean, rich and altogether worthy. 110 calories, 10 g fat, 360 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein. $6.49 for 16.9 ounces at Safeway. (4 stars)
Dave's Gourmet Aged White Cheddar AlfredoFans of black pepper may enjoy this cheddar-based, peppery blend. It's thin, but the cheese is pungent enough to play well with veggies and more. 100 calories, 10 g fat, 340 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 2 g protein. $9.99 for 15 ounces at Whole Foods. (3½ stars)
Trader Joe's Alfredo Pasta SauceFresh cream dusted with a hint of parmesan and pecorino make this luxurious sauce a terrific choice for true fans of Alfredo. The cheese flavors are understated, but the sauce tastes truly authentic. 80 calories, 6 g fat, 280 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 2 g protein. $3.49 for 16 ounces. (3 stars)
Signature Reserve Pasta SauceThis sauce is so peppery and acidic, it tastes like salad dressing with a massive hit of cheese. Reserve this one for casseroles and soups, as heat will naturally neutralize the acid and help balance the flavors. 50 calories, 3 g fat, 430 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 2 g protein. $6.99 for 13 ounces at Safeway. (2½ stars)
Prego Homestyle AlfredoGenerous cream, a rich butter note, and a sprinkle of cheese almost make up for the evaporated milk flavor in this sauce. It's edible, but would be best used in highly flavored dishes. 80 calories, 7 g fat, 390 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 1 g protein. $4.49 for 14.5 ounces at Safeway. (2½ stars)
Classico Creamy AlfredoIn a pinch, this sauce could work, as it delivers both cream and salt, but it's sorely lacking in cheese. 50 calories, 3.5 g fat, 400 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 1 g protein. $3.99 for 15 ounces on sale at Raley's. (2 stars)
O Organics Classic Alfredo SauceThis thin, minimally cheesy blend tastes like canned milk and misses the mark. It requires serious culinary adaptation to be of any use. 70 calories, 7 g fat, 420 mg sodium, 1 g sugar. 1 g protein. $4.49 for 14.5 ounces at Safeway. (1½ stars)
Whole Foods Roasted Garlic Premium Alfredo SauceWhy this is labeled "Alfredo" when it isn't a bit creamy is a mystery. The primary flavors are salt and pepper. 80 calories, 7 g fat, 370 mg sodium, no sugar, 1 g protein. $4.99 for 14.5 ounces. (1½ stars)
Ragu Classic Alfredo SauceIf rich, cream-forward Alfredo sauce is what you want, this is not it. The mix has a nutty, cheesy flavor, but it tastes like canned cream that's been on the shelf far too long. 90 calories, 9 g fat, 320 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 1 g protein. $2.39 for 16 ounces at Target. (1 star)
Good & Gather AlfredoDespite the initial aroma of parmesan, this thick, gloopy sauce delivers precious little flavor, and the salt level is literally punishing. 60 calories, 4.5 g fat, 370 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 1 g protein. $1.89 for 15 ounces at Target. (1 star)
Sonoma Gourmet Creamy Alfredo SauceAn overpowering punch of garlic plus a massive hit of herbs make this a majoy disappointment. The label claims it's "crazy good." We beg to differ. 100 calories, 9 g fat, 350 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 2 g protein. $5.99 for 15.5 ounces at Raley's. (½ a star)
Botticelli Premium White Alfredo SauceThis salty sauce is an utter failure. It's the texture of mayonnaise. There's no trace of cream, and its wonky sweet notes are distinctly off-putting. 100 calories, 8 g fat, 400 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 3 g protein. $5.99 for 14.5 ounces at Raley's. (No stars)
Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at timespickyeater@gmail.Com. Read more Taste-off columns at www.Mercurynews.Com/tag/taste-off.
For more food and drink coveragefollow us on Flipboard.50 Easy Dinner Ideas To Save Even The Busiest Weeknights
We've rounded up our simplest dinner recipes of all time.
When you want to serve a homemade dinner but don't want to spend all day in the kitchen, these easy dinner ideas will save suppertime. From slow-cooker recipes to recipes that come together in under 30 minutes to meals with short ingredient lists, these easy dinner ideas still deliver plenty of flavor. Many of these easy dinner ideas will be on the table even faster than takeout.
Just because these dinner ideas are easy to pull together doesn't mean they are boring or lack flavor. On this list you'll find delicious, flavor-packed dinners like Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole, Easy Shrimp Scampi With Basil, and Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls, just to name a few. And did we mention some of them take as little as 10 minutes? It doesn't get easier than that.
Read on for our 50 best easy dinner ideas of all time.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
While this lasagna does take an hour to make from start to finish, most of that time is spent in the oven baking. No-boil noodles that bake in the oven help cut prep time and dirty dishes.
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
You're just 25 minutes and one sheet pan away from getting this dinner on the table. Microwaveable rice also makes it even easier to pull together.
Greg DuPree
Convenient ingredients like jarred sauce and rotisserie chicken help this casserole come together easily. Plus, it's ready in under an hour.
Greg Dupree
Yes, it's possible to whip together a warm, homemade stir fry in just 10 minutes. That's even faster than delivery or takeout.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero
Not only does this easy casserole come together in just 30 minutes, but it can also be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This makes it easy to pull together on weekends to cook on busy weeknights.
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee
You're just five ingredients and 30 minutes away from serving up this ravioli dish for dinner.
Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
This chicken dish can be cooked in your slow cooker on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours. We recommend serving over mashed potatoes or rice.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
As the name of this soup implies, it transforms seven cans and some seasonings into a warm and hearty soup in just 30 minutes.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Pull together the ingredients for these burrito bowls in just 10 minutes and let every member of the family build their owl bowl according to their personal taste.
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland
This homemade pizza comes together in just 30 minutes thanks to prepared pizza dough and jarred marinara sauce.
Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin
Cook all of the chicken and veggies for fajitas at the same time thanks to your trusty sheet pan. Plus since your pan is lined with aluminum foil, cleanup will be a breeze.
Caitlin Bensel
This versatile chicken comes together with just five ingredients and can be used in tacos, quesadillas, burrito bowls, and more.
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
Upgrade burger night with this recipe in which onions are truly the star of the show. They come together in just one skillet in 20 minutes.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
This one-pan supper comes together with 10 minutes of hands-on time and then it's baked in the oven for 40 minutes. While it's baked, you can get other chores done in the kitchen and still get dinner on the table in under an hour.
Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Once this chicken is done cooking low and slow, make sure to reserve the pan juices from the crock. Pouring it over the chicken will capture all that extra flavor.
What's better than a slow cooker dinner? One that calls for just a handful of ingredients. All you have to do is brown the outside of the roast and the slow cooker will take over.
Greg DuPree
All components of this pasta dish cook together in just one pan. Plus, it comes together in under 30 minutes
Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and you'll be serving up this comforting one-pot soup in just 30 minutes. You can also keep it in the freezer for the busiest days.
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Serve the nachos straight from the oven on the sheet pan for a fun, family-style dinner that kids and adults will love. You can customize the nachos with any topping you prefer.
Emily Laurae / Southern Living
Let taco soup cook low and slow all day in your slow cooker to develop layers of delicious flavor without you having to sit by the stove all day to stir it.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox
We call for rigatoni pasta in this chicken dish, but you can use another pasta shape if you already have it on hand. It comes together in just 20 minutes, including the homemade buttermilk Alfredo sauce.
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck
A layer of cheddar cheese and Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls is the ideal topping for a homemade sloppy joe mixture.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
This chicken chili recipe just requires you to dump all of the ingredients into your slow cooker and turn it on high for 5 to 6 hours or low for 8 to 10 hours. We like offering sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado, and fresh cilantro as toppings.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
While we love homemade meatballs, we think busy weeknights are a good excuse to reach for the frozen variety so you can get dinner on the table in just 30 minutes.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners
We call for rotisserie chicken to help this salad come together as easily as possible, but you could also use any cooked chicken you have on hand or even top it with steak.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This four-ingredient dinner gets its crowd-pleasing flavor from one simple ingredient: a packet of ranch dressing mix. We also love that this whole dinner comes together on just one sheet pan.
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely
Fresh shrimp and cherry tomatoes are the perfect duo for a quick summertime supper.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
Fire up the grill for this 15-minute salmon supper that won't dirty up your kitchen. It's sure to become a family favorite during grilling season.
Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Made with ground beef, bell pepper, onion, and a handful of pantry staples, this classic sandwich supper comes together in just 15 minutes,
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This recipe is impressive enough to look like it came out of a restaurant kitchen, but you can actually whip it up at home in just 25 minutes. You can use chicken stock instead of the wine if you prefer.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Since the salad base of this recipe should chill for at least 2 hours before you add the chicken, it's a great make-ahead dinner for busy weeknights. Just reserve the chicken to add just before serving so it stays crispy.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
If you think chili takes all day to make, think again. This quick version comes together in just 20 minutes (yes, you read that correctly).
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
This one-skillet macaroni and cheese dinner gets just a little bit of heat from a chopped poblano chile. Remove the ribs to make the dish even more mild.
Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Serve up a taste of the tropics as home with this colorful recipe. This 15-minute meal is light, flavorful, and doesn't require you to turn on your oven or stovetop.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos
When choosing the salmon for this 30-minute sheet pan supper, make sure to choose pieces that are similar in size so they'll cook evenly.
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely
This 15-minute recipe transforms frozen shrimp and bagged coleslaw mix into a satisfying taco dinner.
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
A pound of pulled pork makes homemade mac and cheese filling enough to serve as a main dish. It can also be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Alison Miksch
This soup takes just one pot and 20 minutes to make. It calls for refrigerated chicken-and-prosciutto tortelloni, but any flavor will work.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Using rotisserie chicken as the base for the chicken salad helps this easy dinner come together without any cooking required.
A traditional dish in the Lowcountry, Chicken bog is a simple and quick dinner. This version is made even more weeknight friendly thanks to rotisserie chicken.
Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Don't let the fact that this recipe is a stew scare you away from cooking it up on a busy weeknight. It actually comes together in just 20 minutes,
Hector Sanchez
Blistering grape tomatoes under the broiler allows them to burst and add plenty of flavor to frozen ravioli. The whole dish will be complete in just 15 minutes.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
When you don't quite have the time to make meatloaf, mini loaves will allow you to enjoy the same flavor but with a much quicker cooking time.
Stacy K. Allen; Props: Josh Hoggle; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray
All that's required to make this casserole version of Chicken Tortilla Soup is to gather the ingredients, mix them together, and bake.
Greg DuPree
When the words 'quick and easy' are in the recipe title, you know it's meant for busy weeknights.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
Most of the time spent on this recipe comes from assembling the kabobs. They need just 2 minutes per side on the grill.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero
After making this easy stir fry, reviewers agree that they'll be making this recipe again and again.
Ralph Anderson; Styling: Rose Nguyen
Yes, you can have this creamy pasta dish on the table in just 10 minutes. We call for fresh chopped tomatoes, but you can also use drained canned tomatoes if desired.
Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett
This fun supper comes together with a handful of convenient ingredients. It starts with frozen garlic bread that's topped with deli chicken tenders, canned pizza sauce, and shredded cheese.
For the best results, you'll want to choose bone-in chicken thighs instead of boneless for this slow-cooker recipe.
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When it comes to jarred Alfredo sauce, there are two camps: Those who do, and those who don't. And to be clear, those who don't, really, truly don't. Ever. They don't buy it because they either prefer to make it from scratch, or they have no idea why they might want a jar or two in their pantry, especially if they are not fans of fettucine Alfredo.
That brings us to those who do, which is clearly a huge contingent of home cooks, as store shelves are stacked with Alfredo options. For these people, what's inside the jar is not just a creamy, comforting alternative to tomato-based pasta or pizza sauce. It's an appetizer, a meal starter, a finish sauce.
Alfredo can be slathered on pasta, chicken or fish or drizzled on cauliflower or roasted vegetables. It can be stirred into marinara, used as a base for soup or a creamy casserole or poured into a fondue pot for an instant hot dip.
The problem with jarred Alfredo, of course, is that it requires such things as stabilizers and gums, ingredients not typically used when the sauce is made fresh. The challenge is to make sure that those additives don't dull the flavors of the star ingredients — cream and cheese — and that the texture is as luxurious and velvety as authentic Alfredo.
Good Alfredo sauce is a decadent, cheese-forward cream sauce that delivers layers of flavor, a touch of salt and umami richness. Bad Alfredo sauce is salty, flavorless or so full of additives, it's just plain gross.
Here's the scoop on rich, comforting, pre-made Alfredo sauces that will transform food into a more delicious version of itself — and the sauce fails that should never have made it into the jar, much less to store shelves. Nutrition info refers to 1/4 cup of sauce.
Rao's Homemade AlfredoCreamy, buttery and packed with cheese flavor, this rich, mouthwatering sauce wins. It's dense, complex flavor will upscale any dish. 100 calories, 9 g fat, 420 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 3 g protein. $10.99 for 15 ounces at Safeway. (4 stars)
Bertolli D'Italia Four Cheese AlfredoDelicate seasonings and four different kinds of cheese make this thick blend a yummy, velvety choice. It's clean, rich and altogether worthy. 110 calories, 10 g fat, 360 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein. $6.49 for 16.9 ounces at Safeway. (4 stars)
Dave's Gourmet Aged White Cheddar AlfredoFans of black pepper may enjoy this cheddar-based, peppery blend. It's thin, but the cheese is pungent enough to play well with veggies and more. 100 calories, 10 g fat, 340 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 2 g protein. $9.99 for 15 ounces at Whole Foods. (3½ stars)
Trader Joe's Alfredo Pasta SauceFresh cream dusted with a hint of parmesan and pecorino make this luxurious sauce a terrific choice for true fans of Alfredo. The cheese flavors are understated, but the sauce tastes truly authentic. 80 calories, 6 g fat, 280 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 2 g protein. $3.49 for 16 ounces. (3 stars)
Signature Reserve Pasta SauceThis sauce is so peppery and acidic, it tastes like salad dressing with a massive hit of cheese. Reserve this one for casseroles and soups, as heat will naturally neutralize the acid and help balance the flavors. 50 calories, 3 g fat, 430 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 2 g protein. $6.99 for 13 ounces at Safeway. (2½ stars)
Prego Homestyle AlfredoGenerous cream, a rich butter note, and a sprinkle of cheese almost make up for the evaporated milk flavor in this sauce. It's edible, but would be best used in highly flavored dishes. 80 calories, 7 g fat, 390 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 1 g protein. $4.49 for 14.5 ounces at Safeway. (2½ stars)
Classico Creamy AlfredoIn a pinch, this sauce could work, as it delivers both cream and salt, but it's sorely lacking in cheese. 50 calories, 3.5 g fat, 400 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 1 g protein. $3.99 for 15 ounces on sale at Raley's. (2 stars)
O Organics Classic Alfredo SauceThis thin, minimally cheesy blend tastes like canned milk and misses the mark. It requires serious culinary adaptation to be of any use. 70 calories, 7 g fat, 420 mg sodium, 1 g sugar. 1 g protein. $4.49 for 14.5 ounces at Safeway. (1½ stars)
Whole Foods Roasted Garlic Premium Alfredo SauceWhy this is labeled "Alfredo" when it isn't a bit creamy is a mystery. The primary flavors are salt and pepper. 80 calories, 7 g fat, 370 mg sodium, no sugar, 1 g protein. $4.99 for 14.5 ounces. (1½ stars)
Ragu Classic Alfredo SauceIf rich, cream-forward Alfredo sauce is what you want, this is not it. The mix has a nutty, cheesy flavor, but it tastes like canned cream that's been on the shelf far too long. 90 calories, 9 g fat, 320 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 1 g protein. $2.39 for 16 ounces at Target. (1 star)
Good & Gather AlfredoDespite the initial aroma of parmesan, this thick, gloopy sauce delivers precious little flavor, and the salt level is literally punishing. 60 calories, 4.5 g fat, 370 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 1 g protein. $1.89 for 15 ounces at Target. (1 star)
Sonoma Gourmet Creamy Alfredo SauceAn overpowering punch of garlic plus a massive hit of herbs make this a majoy disappointment. The label claims it's "crazy good." We beg to differ. 100 calories, 9 g fat, 350 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 2 g protein. $5.99 for 15.5 ounces at Raley's. (½ a star)
Botticelli Premium White Alfredo SauceThis salty sauce is an utter failure. It's the texture of mayonnaise. There's no trace of cream, and its wonky sweet notes are distinctly off-putting. 100 calories, 8 g fat, 400 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 3 g protein. $5.99 for 14.5 ounces at Raley's. (No stars)
Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at timespickyeater@gmail.Com. Read more Taste-off columns at www.Mercurynews.Com/tag/taste-off.
For more food and drink coveragefollow us on Flipboard.
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