Taste Test | Alfredo sauce
We've all rushed home at the end of a busy day and stood staring into the pantry in search of a quick dinner option. That's when jars of sauces and soups come in handy. Over the holidays, our panelists figured some cooks might want to jazz up some pasta for weeknight fare. Instead of red sauce, we sampled eight brands of Alfredo sauces in jars from local grocery stores. At first, judges turned up their noses at the idea of serving pasta sauce from a jar. But, a couple scored pretty high. We heated all on the stove or microwave, according to the directions.
Kathy Saunders, Times correspondent
Product/Score
(out of 100)
Great Value Classic / 85
Classico Creamy / 73
Bertolli Garlic / 32
Serving size
One-fourth cup
One-fourth cup
One-fourth cup
Calories
110
100
100
Fat/Fiber
10g / 0g
9g / 0g
10g / 0g
Sugars/Sodium
1g / 360mg
1g / 410mg
0g / 320mg
Carbs/Protein
2g / 2g
3g / 2g
2g / 2g
Judges'
comments
Great Value
Balanced flavors made this the favorite of our panelists. They liked the combination of cheese, salt and seasonings. "It's the thickest and the best of all the sauces," said one judge. "This actually had a pretty authentic flavor," said another. "I could see this being served by a nice grandma," he said. "It had a hearty, real garlic flavor." Judges liked the way the sauce held together after heating, compared to some in which the cheeses seemed to break up. "Mamma Mia, now that's an Alfredo sauce," said one. "I love the Parmesan flavor. I'm sold!"
Classico
Judges described this sauce as traditional. They liked the robust Parmesan taste and the hint of salt. Panelists said Classico's sauce would be a great start to a pasta meal. "I would add veggies, shrimp or chicken and doctor this up with healthy additives," said one. "I think it would be good as a dipping sauce," said another. "I also would add fresh herbs for a bit of color and create an attractive side dish of pasta and white sauce."
Bertolli
Bertolli's sauce lacked the consistency of the others, but judges awarded some points for the pleasing color, creamy texture and smoky taste. "This one is missing something, but I can't quite figure it out," said one. Another said she thought it looked and tasted more like mayonnaise. "But it would be a good party dip with some fresh celery, carrots, broccoli florets or chips," she said.
Would
they buy?
Great Value
All four judges said yes.
Classico
All four judges said yes.
Bertolli
One of the judges said yes.
Shopping information
Great Value
$1.33 for a 16-ounce jar from Walmart.
Classico
$2.39 for a 15-ounce jar from Publix.
Bertolli
$2.99 for a 15-ounce jar from Publix.
Also sampled: Publix Premium ($2.49 for a 15-ounce jar, 28 points); Fresh Market ($3.99 for a 16-ounce jar, 26 points); Market Pantry ($1.32 for a 15-ounce jar from Target, 21 points); Ragu Classic ($2.59 for a 16-ounce jar from Publix, 18 points); and Newman's Own All Natural ($2.69 for a 15-ounce jar from Publix, 17 points).
Panelists: Kay Bell, personal chef; Rachel Smith, dietetic intern; John Hehn, owner of All Brite Lighting & Power Design Inc.; and Jeff Jensen, public information officer for Treasure Island. All foods were tasted blind.
| Serving size | ¼ cup | ¼ cup | ¼ cup |
| Calories | 110 | 100 | 100 |
| Fat/Fiber | 10g / 0g | 9g / 0g | 10g / 0g |
| Sugars/Sodium | 1g / 360mg | 1g / 410mg | 0g / 320mg |
| Carbs/Protein | 2g / 2g | 3g / 2g | 2g / 2g |
We've all rushed home at the end of a busy day and stood staring into the pantry in search of a quick dinner option. That's when jars of sauces and soups come in handy. Over the holidays, our panelists figured some cooks might want to jazz up some pasta for weeknight fare. Instead of red sauce, we sampled eight brands of Alfredo sauces in jars from local grocery stores. At first, judges turned up their noses at the idea of serving pasta sauce from a jar. But, a couple scored pretty high. We heated all on the stove or microwave, according to the directions. Kathy Saunders, Times correspondent
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