What Is Low-Fat Alfredo Sauce?

Rich, creamy alfredo sauce is a delicious topping for pasta, chicken, and seafood, but unfortunately it is quite high in fat because it's made with butter and heavy cream. Low-fat alfredo sauce is a healthier option for many people because it cuts down on the calorie and fat count, but keeps the cheesy taste. In most cases, it is a better idea to prepare low-fat alfredo sauce at home; jarred varieties might be easier, but it can be tough to find low-fat varieties, and the ones that do reduce the fat content, typically boost the salt level to make up for it.

There are a number of different recipes for low-fat alfredo sauce to be found online. The specific ingredients and measurements for these recipes vary, and it can be fun to experiment a bit to see what works well. There are some common substitutions, however. First, the heavy cream found in a traditional alfredo sauce is typically replaced with reduced fat or skim milk; some recipes also call for reduced fat condensed milk. If butter is included in the recipe, it is typically a very small amount to add a bit of flavor without adding too much fat.

Flour is used for thickening, and grated parmesan cheese is typically used for flavor. For some people, this simple recipe is enough to make a low-fat alfredo sauce for pasta. Others will add extra ingredients for flavor; minced garlic, for instance, can be a great choice. Parsley, or a sprinkling of salt and pepper, can also add a little bit of zest to the recipe. To make it richer and creamier, some recipes also call for the addition of low-fat cream cheese, but this will boost the fat content, so it is a less common inclusion and should be used sparingly.

Preparing low-fat alfredo sauce at home does not take long, though it is important to keep an eye on it and keep stirring to to make sure it doesn't burn. Many people will then serve it over whole-wheat pasta to keep it healthier; it is also delicious over grilled chicken or seafood. Mixing vegetables in with the pasta, such as broccoli or peppers, and then pouring the low-fat alfredo sauce over it is another excellent choice. Kids are often a big fan of cheese sauce on vegetables, for instance, and this can be a great way to get them to eat their vegetables without adding a lot of fat to them.