Bearing in mind that Alfredo sauce is largely made up of dairy products, you probably know that to begin with, it has a shorter shelf life than some sauces.
Combining that with how tricky some dairy products are to freeze, you may wonder if you can actually freeze this sauce, or if it’s better off cutting your losses if you’ve already made too much.
Well, hold off on putting it in the trash. You can actually freeze it.
You’ll probably know that attempting to freeze anything with cream (see also How To Freeze Cream Soup) in it can be tricky, and when it comes to the combination of Mozzarella cheese and cream, this makes for a higher level of moisture, which makes it more difficult to freeze.
The thawed end product is more likely to split than not, but provided you freeze and thaw it properly, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t save it for later.
Freezing Alfredo sauce (see also Freezing Bechamel Sauce) will not only reduce the guilt and money loss of food waste, but it also helps save you time later on when it comes to making the next dish that calls for Alfredo sauce.
In the freezer, this sauce will last up to 3 months before it starts to significantly lose its texture and flavor.
How Do You Freeze Alfredo Sauce?
Ensure that the Alfredo sauce is the freshest it can possibly be. This means that the quality will largely last despite the fierce process of freezing and thawing it.
Make sure that the sauce is completely cool before you freeze it, and leaving it no longer than that will also help reduce how much it will split when it thaws.
The easiest containers to freeze Alfredo sauce in are liquid-safe freezer bags. The best way of doing this is to open a bag wide, spreading the edges across the sides of a clean bowl.
That way, you don’t have to worry about the bag collapsing as you’re trying to pour the sauce into it.
Decant the sauce into the freezer bag, making sure to leave some room at the top for the sauce to expand as it freezes. Get rid of any excess air, seal the bag, and label accordingly.
It is worth portioning the sauce into servings, so you only need to defrost what you’ll need when you come to use the sauce.
How Do You Thaw Frozen Alfredo Sauce?
To minimize the amount of splitting, the best way to thaw Alfredo sauce is to transfer the container directly to the fridge.
Make sure to put a plate under it to keep your fridge shelf clean. Leave it overnight to defrost.
Once it’s fully thawed, you’ll probably notice some of the sauce has separated. You can use a whisk to reconstitute the sauce, and this should fix it.
If you find the sauce has become too thin, you can use some cornstarch to thicken it. Don’t forget to dilute it with water before you add it to the sauce, and let the whole thing simmer on the hob until it thickens up.
Conclusion
Alfredo sauce is a great one to make ahead of time, and it will save you time and money if you plan ahead while making pasta dishes.