The Rich History of Alfredo Sauce
Alfredo sauce has a storied past that dates back to the early 20th century, with roots in Rome and a hint of Hollywood glamour. In 1914, Alfredo di Lelio, owner of Via della Scrofa restaurant, created a simple yet comforting dish to alleviate his pregnant wife Ines’ nausea. He combined hot pasta with Parmesan cheese and butter, and the “fette in casa” was born.
A Taste of Celebrity
Fast-forward to 1920, when Hollywood power couple Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks visited Alfredo’s restaurant and fell in love with the humble sauce. They took the recipe back to California, where it quickly became a staple in Italian restaurants.
Beyond Pasta: 8 Creative Uses for Alfredo Sauce
While fettuccine Alfredo remains a classic, there are countless ways to incorporate this rich and creamy sauce into your recipes.
- Dressing: Swap heavy cream or sour cream for Alfredo sauce to add flavor and creaminess to salad dressings.
- Marinade: Use Alfredo sauce to marinate pork loin, beef roast, or whole chicken for tender and moist results.
- Dip: Serve Alfredo dip with pretzels, vegetables, and crackers for a delicious appetizer.
- Meatloaf and Meatballs: Replace half of the tomato sauce with Alfredo for creamy texture and cheesy flavor.
- Pizza: Combine Alfredo sauce with pizza sauce for an instant cheesy and silky base.
- Vegetable Roast: Slather Alfredo sauce over hearty vegetables like cauliflower, parsnips, and carrots before roasting.
- Fish and Vegetable Sauce: Drizzle Alfredo sauce over crispy roasted fish or roasted or poached vegetables for a simple yet elegant dish.
- Casseroles: Use Alfredo sauce as a creamy substitute in casseroles for a guaranteed win at your next potluck.
Pasta-Less Alfredo Recipes
Get creative with these eight recipes that transform a jar of Alfredo sauce into tasty dinners, appetizers, and sides – no noodles required!
- Meatball Alfredo Subs: Slather DIY Alfredo sauce over meatballs in a toasted sub, finished with basil pesto.
- Ranch Dressing Dip: Replace buttercream with Alfredo sauce for a cheesy and velvety dip.
- Cheesy Alfredo Arancini: Amplify rice with Alfredo sauce in these decadent rice balls, cooked to perfection in an air fryer.
- Whole Roasted Cauliflower Cheese: Add creaminess and flavor to roasted cauliflower with Alfredo sauce.
- Grilled Chicken with Creamy Lemon Sauce: Replace heavy cream with Alfredo sauce for a silky and cheesy grilled chicken dish.
- Broccoli Casserole: Swap heavy cream for Alfredo sauce in this classic casserole, topped with a crunchy cracker crust.
- Alfredo Pizza: Use homemade or jarred Alfredo sauce in this white pizza recipe, ready in under 30 minutes.
- One Pot Chicken Alfredo Biscuit Casserole: Combine Alfredo sauce with chicken, broccoli, carrots, and onions, topped with a biscuit crust, for a comforting and nutritious meal.
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