Better-For-You Alfredo Sauce: Our Top 3 Picks

Typically, a rich blend of cream, butter and cheese, the creamy goodness of alfredo sauce is an easy crowd pleaser. But it can also be loaded with calories. Here are three better-for-you alfredo finds, including one homemade recipe with a key ingredient you won’t believe.

Primal Kitchen No Dairy Alfredo Sauce with Avocado Oil

• Per quarter-cup: 70 calories, 360 mg sodium, 5 grams carbs, 0 sugar, 2 grams protein
• Ingredients: water, pumpkin seed butter, avocado oil, organic tapioca starch, sea salt, roasted garlic, onion powder, lemon juice, pepper, nutritional yeast

Newman’s Own Roasted Garlic Alfredo

• Per Quarter Cup: 60 calories, 370 mg sodium, 3 grams carbs, 1 gram sugar, 1 gram protein
• Ingredients: water, cream, parmesan cheese, corn starch, egg yolks, roasted garlic, whey, Romano cheese, salt, xanthan gum, dried garlic, black pepper

Homemade alfredo recipe | by FUEL Café at Ochsner Fitness Center

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 16 ounces cottage cheese (4%), pureed
• ½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
• 16 ounces chicken broth (or vegetable broth to keep it vegetarian)
• 1/2 tablespoon xanthan gum (gradually add more if needed to reach desired thickness)

Heat olive oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Add in garlic and sauté until golden. Add pureed cottage cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano and broth. Whisk until smooth. Add xanthan gum. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 3-5 more minutes, until begins to thicken.

Use immediately, or store in airtight jar for 5-7 days.

Editor’s note: Registered dietitian Molly Kimball offers brand-name products as a consumer guide; she does not solicit product samples, nor is she paid to recommend items. This originally appeared on WGNO’s “Get FUELED with Molly” segment