Alfredo sauce is often served with pasta.
Alfredo is a creamy, white sauce that is commonly used for Italian pasta dishes. Its key ingredients include cream, Parmesan cheese and butter. It is very rich in both flavor and texture. While a simple sauce with just those three basic ingredients is complete, you can add a variety of spices to the sauce to add to its flavor dynamic so that it directly reflects your preferences.
Parsley
Dry parsley can be added to the sauce directly, or fresh parsley can be sprinkled on top of it once the dish is plated. Parsley provides a fresh, clean and slightly peppery bite to the sauce without overwhelming it. A fresh sprig of curly or flat parsley can also be served next to the dish as a garnish.
Garlic
It's hard to describe the flavor of garlic, as it has a flavor all its own. This tasty spice can be added to alfredo sauce either by mincing fresh cloves directly into the sauce or by adding a small amount of garlic powder as the sauce cooks. Garlic adds another level of complexity to the flavor of the finished sauce. It also becomes deliciously fragrant as it cooks.
Black or White Pepper
Add a little or a lot to spice up your alfredo sauce. White pepper will keep your sauce white in color while black pepper will add dark colored specks throughout the sauce. For a spicier sauce with a more definitive bite, try using ground whole peppercorns.
Red Pepper Flakes
Add a real spicy kick to your sauce by sprinkling in some red pepper flakes during cooking. Add a little for a slight kick or a lot if you really want to turn up the heat.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper adds a spicy, smoky kick to your alfredo sauce. For a Cajun alfredo, combine it with red pepper flakes and paprika.
Oregano
This quintessential Italian spice is the perfect way to add real ethnic flare to your alfredo sauce. Add in a of dried oregano or mince fresh oregano into your sauce as it cooks. For real old-world Italian flavor, combine it with basil.
Basil
Basil is a familiar Italian spice that has a sweet, clean flavor. It can be combined with oregano or thyme, or it can be used as a standalone spice. Sprinkle a small amount of dried basil or chop fresh basil leaves into your sauce as it cooks for a crisp, sweet, familiar and inviting flavor.
Thyme
Thyme, another familiar Italian spice, is an excellent addition to alfredo sauce. The flavor of thyme is cool, crisp and slightly peppery. It adds a familiar Italian flavor to alfredo sauce and is excellent when paired with basil, rosemary or oregano.
Rosemary
Rosemary provides a richly herbal, fresh and crisp taste to alfredo sauce. It is excellent when chicken or fish is incorporated into the dish. Add a bit of dried rosemary or fresh chopped rosemary to the sauce during cooking. It pairs especially well with basil.
Chili Powder or Chipotle Peppers
Chili powder or chipotle peppers provide a sweet, smoky and spicy flavor to your alfredo sauce. These spices are bold, so you'll only need a little bit. Chili pepper and chipotle peppers pair well with paprika and cayenne pepper.
Paprika
Paprika has a mild, sweet flavor and is a deep orange-red in color. Adding it into your alfredo sauce will turn the otherwise white sauce into a beautiful blush-colored sauce that tastes as good as it looks. Add a small amount of paprika to the sauce as it cooks or sprinkle a small amount over the sauce for a good-looking garnish. Paprika goes well with cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes or chili pepper for a Cajun-inspired alfredo sauce.
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