Types of Alfredo Sauces
Alfredo sauce is a simple, creamy white sauce that is especially popular with fettuccine. There are several variations of the traditional Italian recipe; for example, American versions are typically thickened with starch, resulting in something closer to a béchamel (balsamella in Italian) than an Alfredo. Adding meat or vegetables, such as broccoli and chicken, is also a popular option.
Italian Alfredo Sauce
Traditionally, Alfredo sauce is made from equal parts by weight of unsalted butter, heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. To make it, simply heat the cream over low heat, add the butter and stir until melted, and gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese until it is melted and the sauce becomes thick. Because it is not thickened with starch, it is thinner and less creamy than American Alfredo sauces. It's also trickier to make, since it requires slow cooking over low heat; try to make it too fast and it might separate, resulting in a greasy mass of cheese floating in melted butter.
American Alfredo Sauce
American Alfredo sauce makes Alfredo preparation easier for cooks, especially in busy restaurants, to prepare Alfredo faster and make it more stable. Like béchamel, the traditional French white sauce, this type of Alfredo is thickened with a roux--butter and flour cooked together until the flour no longer has a raw taste. The rest of the process is like the Italian version: heavy cream and Parmesan are whisked into the roux to produce a creamy sauce.
Low-Fat Alfredo Sauce
People who can't eat much fat but still want to indulge in Alfredo sauce will have to make a few adjustments; since the sauce is made from butter, cheese and heavy cream, almost all of its calories are from fat. Replacing the cream with fat-free evaporated milk can help cut the fat while retaining some of the creamy flavor. Another potential substitute is low-fat cottage cheese blended with low-fat yogurt and Parmesan cheese, although this is a big step from the original recipe.
Alfredo Sauce Variations
Because Alfredo is such a simple sauce, additions such as meat and vegetables are not overwhelming. Good choices for vegetables include broccoli, asparagus and mushrooms. Chicken breast is also a popular addition. For a more unusual meal for special occasions, try Alfredo sauce with crab or lobster. Virginia Alfredo (Alfredo sauce with country ham and swiss chard) is a thoroughly American variation.
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