Bushra Griffith
Four-cheese alfredo sauce is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes beyond the classic chicken alfredo. It can be used as a base for pizzas, added to pasta dishes like fettuccine or mac and cheese, or served with breaded chicken or veal. The sauce can also be used in casseroles, soups, or as a dip for breadsticks. When making alfredo sauce at home, it is important to note that the sauce should not boil when adding the cheese, as this can affect the texture. Additionally, using freshly grated cheese will help to create a smooth and creamy sauce.
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What You'll Learn
How to make four cheese alfredo sauce
Alfredo sauce is a rich and indulgent treat, perfect for dinner. It is a simple white/cream sauce made from butter, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. To make a four-cheese alfredo sauce, you can use a combination of freshly grated parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and two other cheeses of your choice. Some options for the fourth cheese include provolone, fontina, asiago, or sharp cheddar.
Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
Start by gathering your ingredients. For a four-cheese alfredo sauce, you will need butter, olive oil, heavy cream, garlic, pepper, and a combination of four cheeses. The key to a great alfredo sauce is using freshly grated parmesan cheese, as it will melt smoothly into the sauce without becoming grainy. You will also need a large skillet or saucepan and a whisk or spoon for stirring.
Step 2: Melt the butter
Place your skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat and add the butter and olive oil. Heat them together until the butter is melted, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
Step 3: Add the cream and seasonings
Once the butter is melted, mix in the heavy cream, garlic, and pepper. Stir everything together and bring it to a gentle simmer. Continue stirring often to prevent the mixture from scorching or boiling over.
Step 4: Add the cheeses
When the cream mixture is simmering, it's time to add the cheeses. Start with the parmesan cheese and stir it into the cream mixture until it is completely melted and the sauce has thickened. Then, add your other three cheeses, stirring constantly until they are all melted and combined.
Step 5: Serve or store
Your four-cheese alfredo sauce is now ready to serve! If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can let it stand for 2-3 minutes before serving, as the sauce will continue to thicken. If you have any leftover sauce, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to five days or freeze it for up to three months.
Feel free to adjust the amounts of each cheese to your taste preferences. You can also experiment with different types of cheese to find your perfect combination. Enjoy your homemade four-cheese alfredo sauce!
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Chicken alfredo
Ingredients:
- Four cheese Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Chicken breasts or cooked chicken
- Pasta of your choice (fettuccine, egg noodles, or bow tie pasta)
- Butter
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: cream cheese, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, Romano cheese, or other cheeses
Instructions:
Start by preparing the four-cheese Alfredo sauce. If you are making it from scratch, heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat. You can also add olive oil for a richer sauce. Once melted, add cream, garlic, and seasonings like Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Whisk the ingredients together and simmer for a few minutes, stirring frequently.
Next, gradually add your cheeses. Start with Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth. You can then add mozzarella, Romano, or other cheeses of your choice. Continue stirring until all the cheeses have melted and the sauce has thickened. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
For the chicken, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the chicken breasts with Italian seasoning and garlic. Bake the chicken for 10-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the breasts. Once cooked, chop the chicken into bite-sized portions.
Cook your chosen pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside. In a large bowl or pan, mix the cooked pasta with the prepared four-cheese Alfredo sauce. Ensure the pasta is coated evenly.
Finally, assemble your Chicken Alfredo dish. Place the pasta on a plate, top it with the chopped chicken, and pour any extra sauce over the top. You can also add some garnish, like chopped parsley or basil, for extra flavour and colour.
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Shrimp alfredo
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb. medium shrimp (36/40)
- 1/2 lb. fettuccine
- Four-cheese blend
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chicken broth bullion cube
- Heavy cream
Method:
Start by thawing and peeling the shrimp. Leaving the tails on makes for a stunning presentation, but they are easier to eat without. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper.
Next, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the fettuccine, and boil until tender (about 7-10 minutes). Before draining the pasta, reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water.
In a separate pan, melt butter and cook the shrimp until they turn pink, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
In the same pan, add butter and olive oil, and cook minced garlic for about 2 minutes on medium heat. Do not let the garlic burn.
Now, add the heavy cream and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Next, add the four-cheese blend and stir until the cheese melts and coats the pasta. You can also add some pasta water to lighten the sauce.
Once the cheese has melted, add the shrimp back to the pan and toss to combine.
Finally, serve the Shrimp Alfredo with a sprinkle of parsley on top.
Tips:
- You can use raw or cooked shrimp for this recipe.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free brown rice spaghetti.
- Shrimp Alfredo pairs well with a crisp green salad, homemade breadsticks, or garlic bread.
- To make the sauce silkier and thicker, add some cream cheese.
- For a healthier option, substitute milk or half-and-half for the cream.
- If you like your food spicy, add some cayenne pepper to the alfredo sauce.
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Using four cheese alfredo sauce on pizza
Four-cheese Alfredo sauce can be used as a base for pizza instead of the usual tomato sauce. Chicken and bacon flatbread pizzas with Alfredo sauce are a popular choice. The sauce can be spread over the pizza crust and topped with shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
You can also add toppings such as chicken, tomatoes, spinach, sausage, or riced cauliflower. For extra flavour, you can add crushed red pepper flakes, dried parsley, or nutmeg.
To make the pizza, prepare the pizza dough by combining flour, salt, yeast, olive oil, and water in a bowl. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, and let it rise for about an hour until it has doubled in size. Prepare the Alfredo sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, whisking in garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then adding milk and parmesan cheese.
Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a circle on a large piece of lightly floured parchment paper. Pour the Alfredo sauce over the crust and spread it evenly. Add your desired toppings and bake in the oven at 500 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
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Storing four cheese alfredo sauce
Storing four-cheese Alfredo sauce is simple and can be done in a few different ways. Firstly, it is important to note that this sauce should be consumed within a few days of preparation as it does not keep for very long due to the dairy and cheese content.
One storage method is to keep the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will allow you to store the sauce for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to use a clean spoon every time you take out the sauce to avoid contamination.
Another option is to freeze the sauce. Freezing will extend the shelf life of the sauce by several months. To do this, divide the sauce into ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen, pop the cubes out and store them in a freezer bag. This way, you can take out only what you need and easily thaw it in the microwave or by adding it directly to your dish while cooking.
Additionally, you can also can the sauce using proper canning techniques and equipment. This method will allow you to store the sauce at room temperature for up to a year. However, it is important to follow safe canning procedures to ensure the sauce is preserved correctly and no harmful bacteria are able to grow.
Lastly, you can also consider storing your sauce in the fridge and simply adding a small amount of dairy or cheese to it each day to keep it fresh and extend its life by a few extra days. This method will depend on your personal preference and how often you plan to consume the sauce.
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Frequently asked questions
Start by warming butter and heavy cream in a large saucepan over low heat. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes, then whisk in garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper for a minute. Lastly, add freshly grated parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce is smooth.
Four-cheese alfredo sauce can be used as a base for pizzas, fettuccine, tettrazini, manicotti, stuffed shells, lasagna, mac and cheese, or casseroles. You can also use it as a cream sauce base for seared chicken breasts, steak, or veal.
Store your homemade four-cheese alfredo sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
