The Best Alfredo Sauce to Buy in a Jar
Which sauce is actually worth grabbing off the shelf?
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When you’re in the grocery store filling the cart with pantry staples, chances are you’re grabbing a couple jars of pasta sauce. And we don’t blame you — jarred sauces are a quick fix if you don’t have time to make your own. But, like selecting any food product in a well-stocked grocery store, choice paralysis can get the best of us. There are often too many brands with multiple varieties making it nearly impossible to know which one is actually worth selecting. Lucky for you, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to find the best — and, in this instance, that means trying almost every variety of Alfredo sauce we could get our hands on. You’re welcome.
For those who might not be super familiar with the creamy, cheesy sauce, it’s basically a simple combination of butter, heavy cream, cheese, salt and pepper — need we say more?
This article has been reviewed since its original publish date for accuracy, pricing and availability. We stand by our list of top jarred alfredo sauce picks. Some are not available online, only in-store.
We love this version for its perfectly balanced texture — not too thick but just creamy enough. The addition of black and white pepper gives it a little more spice than some of the other flavors we tasted. Grab this option if you want a simple sauce that’s still loaded with flavor.
If you’re looking for an option that won’t break the bank but will still deliver on quality, we suggest Bertolli’s classic option with aged Parmesan cheese. You’ll get a texture that is a little lighter than the others, but once mixed with pasta, you’ll notice that it is actually an ideal, creamy consistency.
Trader Giotto’s Alfredo Pasta Sauce
Don’t be put off by the somewhat grainy texture of this sauce — it’s packed with Romano and Parmesan, making it the most intensely cheesy flavor of the sauces we tried. If you’re looking for an Alfredo that is extra indulgent, this is the sauce for you.
Trader Joe's Limone Alfredo Sauce
Add some brightness to your alfredo dish with the addition of lemon. This sauce pairs well with seafood but will also make for a complete meal when paired just with noodles.
Victoria Vegan Alfredo Sauce
Victoria Alfredo isn’t the most classic of all jarred options, the addition of roasted garlic gives it a flavor profile that the other standard Alfredo sauces didn’t have and the cashew cream definitely changed up the texture (a given, considering this one is vegan). And for that, we loved how much it stood out. If you’re looking to shake things up, we suggest filling your cart with this sauce.
Just as the name implies, this version has a very simple, classic feel. The cheese flavor wasn’t the most authentic of all the varieties we tried. But if you’re looking for something that the kids will love, we think Classico’s Creamy Alfredo will be a hit.
If you love truffle as much as we do, then consider yourself sold on this sauce. The truffle is noticeable but not overbearing, and the delicious Alfredo base had the most desirable texture of all the sauces we tried. Even if you’re not a big fan of fettuccini Alfredo, we think this sauce would make a great topping for steaks or a dip for your breadsticks.
Of all the sauces that boasted a garlic flavor, this one was definitely the least pungent — and that’s definitely not a bad thing. If you’re looking for a flavorful sauce that is perfect for a special dinner, we’ve got you covered. Creamy but not overbearing, make this for dinner next time you’re hosting guests.
We love an ingredient that can function in multiple dishes, and that’s exactly what this creamy basil sauce can do. Think of it as a mix between a really rich pesto and your favorite cheese dip — spread it on a slice of bread for a sandwich or serve it over chicken. Either way, you’re going to want to keep a jar of this stuff on-hand at all times.
All around, we loved Bertolli’s sauces. They had a great texture, creamy consistency and rich flavor. With that being said, the presence of mushroom was a bit lost on this one. That didn’t make it a bad sauce, but definitely not our first choice if we’re looking to add a little umami to our meal. If you see it at the store though and the classic version is out of stock, you’ll be just fine to grab a jar of this one instead.
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