My teenage daughter was grocery shopping with me and placed a jar of alfredo sauce in the cart telling me she was craving pasta alfredo and simply must have it! I make a really delicious homemade sauce but with the bad luck we've had since moving into the new house just a week before ($4000 in vehicle issues, heating problems, lost billfolds (my husband, not mine), etc. I've not only been busy with repairs and phone calls but I really haven't been in the mood to cook!
Store bought Alfredo sauce has a taste that I don't particularly care for. It doesn't matter the brand, they are all similar to me. But knowing it would make a quick and simple meal and she was wanting to have pasta Alfredo so badly I said "sure", knowing it can easily be doctored up!
Here is a quick and simple way to use what you have on hand and make a dish starting with a store bought sauce.
Pasta Alfredo with Vegetables
12 oz. dry pasta
1 jar alfredo sauce
1/2 - 3/4 cup of various chopped fresh vegetables; red peppers, broccoli, snap peas, carrots, onions and/or peas
1/3 c grated smoked cheese (optional, as is most of this recipe)
Tomatoes, diced
Boil your pasta according to package directions. Add fresh vegetables of your choice to the boiling water. Drain as usual. Add the pasta sauce. Stir and top with cheese and diced fresh tomatoes. The cheese should quickly melt into the hot pasta but if it doesn't, just microwave it for 2 minutes or put it under the broiler of your oven for 1 or 2 minutes. Delicious with French or garlic bread.
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| Simply add chopped vegetables to the boiling pasta |
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| Adding some chopped tomatoes and a little smoked cheese |
