My personal habit is that I eat out what I can’t make as good at home. I don’t eat tacos/pasta/most soups out because I can make the same or better at home. But I can’t make fast food burgers and fries the same, fajitas, steak, things like that. I don’t eat chips ahoy because I can make better chocolate chip cookies myself, but I can’t make Oreos. So that helps me decide what’s worth spending the money on at restaurants and what’s not.

Looks so yummy! It’s hard for me to enjoy a restaurant meal as I’m looking at menu items and thinking “For x dollars, I could buy x pounds of chicken/hamburger/pork loin/etc and make x meals.

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

I'm with you! That's why we try to pick local places where we can enjoy the ambiance, and I also choose stuff I don't usually make at home. :)

@tubeyou2184

2 жыл бұрын

Same here Kimberly!!

@AngelaMastrodonato

2 жыл бұрын

Pasta is definitely one of those items that feels hard to justify buying in a restaurant unless it’s some sort of novelty like fresh made, squid ink (which I’ve never had) or had some sort of unique flavor. Otherwise it’s still one of the cheapest items in the grocery store.

@nicolegrabowski5704

2 жыл бұрын

I do the same thing. Or I think how cheap that dish is to make at home.

@Blessedgal_3897

2 жыл бұрын

Same!

The Alfredo Sauce you and I make are actually the Americanized recipe that uses cream. The original Alredo Sauce that was Made for the first time for Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford in Rome that started it all was made with only butter, parmesan and the pasta and pasta water. The way it was combined made the creaminess of the sauce that made us all think that it had cream in it. I saw a show Rachael Ray did on 30 Minute Meals that told the whole story of Alfredo Sauce.

@beckyb4068

2 жыл бұрын

That is so interesting! I might try making it that way and see how it is

After not eating in a restaurant for over 2 years due to covid19 (I'm autoimmune) I really don't miss it.

We add just a pinch of nutmeg and a tiny bit of lemon juice to our homemade alfredo, it's so good! If we have any leftover sauce it's generally used for pizza.

Hi Mindy! I remember your video about a month ago showing how you made a bechemel sauce- you were making homemade Mac and cheese I think. I commented that I had never made Mac and cheese from scratch- I made it that night following the sauce recipe 🌻 I used a Mac and cheese blend of shredded cheese and baked. It tasted like a Stouffer’s dupe! I was so excited! Thank you so much for sharing your time and recipes with us- I guess I’ll make Alfredo sauce next🌻😋

Yum! Fun fact, the Bella Rosa parmesan doesn't have the cellulose or other anti-caking agents! Just cheese and that's it. So it's the one I grab if the blocks of cheese aren't available (which has been frequently, lately)

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

Great tip, thanks!

So for years we have picked up a pint or two of alfredo from OG and a dozen breadsticks. We make the pasta and salad at home and it tastes better than pickup! Costs less than $25 when ordering.

I cackled when you said it's because you're a cool Mom!😆 Me too.... 🤪🙃✌

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

I mean I’m not sure my kids would agree but I know! 😂

Bonjour, I've used alfredo sauce on pizza crusts, topped with roasted onion slices, bacon bits, and arugula. You can add, sliced olives, blue cheese , dried chili, prosciutto, etc.. A wonderful change from tomato sauce.

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, it's delicious on a pizza, you are so right!

I just have to say, I found your channel yesterday and I’ve been watching a bunch of your videos! You are delightful!

Oh Mindy, please laugh laugh laugh with me. All these years,at least 25, I have been making white sauce as Alfredo! Oh mercy, wait until my family tastes this,wow.This is only the second time I’ve ever commented,and I think I forgot to say Thank you,so it’s double thank you for sharing your knowledge and helping us along the way. xx

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

Frances, I used to think they were the same thing, too! 😊

I add lemon juice, pasta water and cheese…. Black pepper and red pepper flake….. ohh and garlic of course!!

Another good pasta dish is bacon, garlic, red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese. So good. You really use panchetta but bacon is cheaper and what I usually have on hand. You keep some of the pasta water to make like a sauce so the noodles aren’t dry

Awesome recipe, thanks for sharing 👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍

I always use ‘The Salty Mashmallows” recipe for Alfredo. She includes Italian seasoning. Oh my goodness!!! It’s amazing. You have to try out her version. Also, instead of noodles…I toast gnocchi in the pan and dip the crispy gnocchi in the sauce It’s amazing!!!

As one who rarely went out to eat, it was quite a sticker shock for a restaurant and a fast food place that were my options recently. My eyes probably bugged out. Needless to say, I was shocked at the prices. My thought for both was how many groceries I could get for the same price. 😳

@patriciasweet151

2 жыл бұрын

I think same way. Glad I was taught yo cook so many different types of good

Heavy cream does not come lactose free, but half and half does. So, I make mine with half and half. I love alfredo sauce! Awesome video Mindy as always!

@lisamr40

2 жыл бұрын

Does it, really?? I'm so excited. I just commented that I haven't made this in years because we have lactose intolerant people in my family. I'll have to look in my local stores for it. Thanks for sharing.

@sherrysmith4648

2 жыл бұрын

@@lisamr40 The brand I get is Land o Lakes. In my area it is around 3.59 qt.

@lisamr40

2 жыл бұрын

@@sherrysmith4648 Thanks 😊

@natalieeubank4533

2 жыл бұрын

Yes!! Silk has half and half!! I love it!!

@lucyphenicie5236

2 жыл бұрын

That alfredo meal was fairly easy to throw together. Yes, please try that one from apple bees. That one is an other that Would be better & cheaper At home.being a senior Citizen, money is really Tight right now.thanks Love your channel!!

Thank you for posting this. Going to make this. I hate paying that price, and bottle is ok.

Looks delish! I also love a pinch of nutmeg in my alfredo...gives it that little somethin'-somethin' extra. My 16yo daughter has recently started cooking, and this recipe will be on the list of what I teach her!

Thank You for a great video! It is a true Frugal meal. Home cooking is the best! I appreciate your presentations of the meals also!

So yummy and so easy. I like using easy pasta sauces to repurpose left over meats and veggies. It looks and tastes like a new dish! Win all around. Thanks for sharing! ❤

I’ve always made a bechamel sauce for alfredo but this looks easier and probably tastier. My husband and I have been intermittent fasting along with a lower carb diet and this would be perfect, maybe on spaghetti squash.

@savanah1407

2 жыл бұрын

I’ve made it that way before! It was the only time I’ve ever had spaghetti squash actually. It was so so good.

@jhamilton8398

2 жыл бұрын

I always sauté zucchini for my sauces. Simple and good

You can find Pecorino Romano at Sam's and BJ's. Our family could not live without it!

I love adding mushrooms to my Alfredo and sautéing the chicken in the sauce. I might have to make some tonight since I was able to find some Rao's pasta on clearance at my Aldi yesterday.

Ty so much for the dinner ideas!

Hallelujah! Thank you.

I love adding some basil in to my alfredo sauces. Kicks the flavour up a notch. :)

This would feed us a couple of days…and You have chicken leftover too! If and when I go out to a restaurant I only order things that I know I will never make or can’t make at home .

Thanks for the great idea

Can't wait to try this! ❤️

The cost breakdown is so eye opening! Looks delicious!

Yep, I'm finally going to try this Alfredo. It seems easy enough to make. Ill add shrimp. It all looks so yummy.

@savanah1407

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Kathy. I make mine just like Mindy but I also add around a teaspoon of the McCormick Italian seasoning that has a grinder top/lid. It’s $1.99 at Walmart & in my local grocery stores and is even that price on Amazon. I promise you with that-it tastes just like Olive Garden’s alfredo sauce.

Looks really good

If possible would you please make 3 cheese chicken penne from Apple Bees? I have tried so many times but it never works out for me. Your so great at remaking the dishes. I would love to learn how to make it. Thank you for all your videos they are so helpful

That looks delicious. I'm going to have to try...

Thank you for the video!

Love this, Mindy!! Thanks for always having great videos.

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them!

I just made this for my family tonight. And Oh. My. Goodness! So delicious! We did shrimp Alfredo and I used cavatappi noodles because it was all I had. Thank you for a simple and delicious recipe! I just found your channel and have been watching a lot of your videos!

Looks delicious Mindy!

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Cathy!

Thank you for sharing your Alfredo sauce recipe. I've never made it before. It came out amazing, I was really proud of myself! Thanks again :)

Yum!!!!! Thank you

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

We don't have Alfredo sauce over here (in jars) so I never knew what that suppose to be and recipes always looked complicated, but you made it so simple and with ingredients I can buy here. Thank You!

@savanah1407

2 жыл бұрын

I don’t enjoy cooking and am not an expert at it but alfredo is one of the dishes my husband loves that I make. I make it the same way Mindy does. It’s delicious. The trick is to keep stirring so the heavy whipping cream doesn’t scald.

Hi 👋☺️ thnx again for your recipes, ideas to save money and time... enjoy your day ❤️

thank you for this recipe! definitely want to add to my menu. You are so right about us paying for experience when going out. What i found out that unfortunately during and post lockdown the prices have skyrocketed while the service has gone to subpar to non-existent. From the waiting to be fitted, to waiting for the food, to the server attention, to the quality of food - everything just very mediocre. So more and more often i question what we are actually paying for?? We now only go to places that offer dishes that cannot be easily replicated at home (like sushi thai, etc)

The Alfredo looks delicious 😋 thank you 😊

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Love these scratch recreations! And love your hair!

Love you & your channel!!! 🥰

Great video. I took notes. My family always ask for chicken Alfredo and I do not care for it at all. Definitely going to try your way@

I'm going to make this Thank you K from UK 🇬🇧 xxxxx

It's really good to add parm cheese to the dipping oil for the bread. Great vid

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

That's a great idea!

@nicolegrabowski5704

2 жыл бұрын

A restaurant I used to go to served it with Good Olive oil, grated parmesan and fresh cracked black pepper it's delicious for dipping bread!

Looks delicious!

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Barb!

Mindy, this meal looks delicious. I used to work at a local restaurant and the chef there would whip me up a plate of Alfredo about once a week. It was so good and easy. I've never been able to recreate it bc I think I've tried putting too much into it. I'm going to give yours a try bc it looks very similar to his.

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

I hope you like it, Shannon!

@savanah1407

2 жыл бұрын

I make mine just like Mindy but I also add maybe a teaspoon of the McCormick Italian seasoning that has a grinder top/lid. It’s $1.99 at Walmart in my local grocery stores and is even that price on Amazon. I promise you with that-it tastes just like Olive Garden’s alfredo sauce.

I like your personality! Great video!

Great tip on Parmesan cheese.

I’m with you on Olive Garden prices. I shared a plate with my kid to save money. They are good but a bit pricey! Your Alfredo sauce looks wonderful.

I love this! 🌟🌟🌟❤️

Thanks so much for these ideas. My husband and I drove through your town and I ended up telling him all about your channel. He was impressed by how many of your ideas we use now.

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

Love it!! Hope you enjoyed your drive through green country! :)

@vickigibbs4794

2 жыл бұрын

@@SeeMindyMom we really did, plus some rain which we don’t get in Las Vegas

Yum

I cannot believe that a quart of heavy whipping cream is $4.50 locally! I happened to look yesterday while shopping. Insane! More than the gallon of milk, which was almost $4!

I have to try this last dish with the salty cheese!!😋 I make a fettuccine pasta, kale, breakfast sausage because we don't like the Italian, chicken broth and lots of that cheese!! Sooo good!! I buy at Smith's/Kroger/Frys

Please do some more videos like this!

I use cream cheese. It’s so much cheaper than cream anymore. I use the green can and it’s amazing. My kids say it’s better than Olive Garden

Yes!!!

I didn’t realize you had a Whole Foods near you. I would love a Mindy reacts to prices at Whole Foods video. I personally shop there because organic food is important to me. Plus I think the produce last longer! There is a fun challenge for you. Aldi vs Whole foods, which produce lasts longer! Loved the video as always.

@Stacey_95

2 жыл бұрын

My money is on Whole Foods produce lasting longer. The produce from our Aldi often only lasts a couple of days before mold or rot ruin it. I mentioned it to the manager and she wasn’t shocked, she said they often have to throw away a lot away for the same reason.

I like the way you look at things Mindy, and when you are already a good cook it pains us to pay that kind of money for noodles and sauce..... I understand your angst! More and more I'm carrying my lunch even when I go on pleasure trips

Thanks for your videos thanks ❤️ love your videos thanks ❤️ 😊

Love your videos but next time you want Olive Garden , try the kids menu! $7 gets you Alfredo with chicken or shrimp plus a side and drink with breadsticks 🙌🏻

Mindy and family have a great day thanks from Oklahoma

yummy 🤤

Pre-pandemic I meant a friend for lunch at a chain restaurant (no name mentioned) that has a lot of different cheesecakes. My lunch was $18.99 plus tax and tip. It was delicious! I found a copycat recipe, and while I had to purchase numerous ingredients I didn’t have, I made six delicious servings for less than that one serving cost. I do WW, and it was even WW-friendly!

Thanks for the Alfredo recipe. Love Alfredo sauce. What is it with the non-availability of Pecorino Romano? The only place I can even find regular Romano is Publix. Of course, I live in Daytona Beach, Florida, and it's apparently against the law to eat any grating cheese that isn't Parm.

I am making this tonight! Water is boiling for the pasta now Edit to add: review is hands down delicious! I’m super excited to leftovers for lunch at work tomorrow

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for letting me know! 😊

I like to put Italian seasoning in my Alfredo sauce, but I make it almost the same way!

I think eating out at these chain restaurants is always disappointing and over priced. I prefer one occasional fine dining experience that might cost 5-10 x the price of OG but the meal is superb and the experience is memorable. I had to learn to cook from scratch because of food allergies. I wouldn’t make this recipe because of the cream (allergy) but you are spot on - pasta water can make a creamy sauce - if not as thick as Alfredo. I find scratch cooking videos hard to find but the way I prefer to cook so I really appreciate your videos!!!

I love buying block cheese from the cheese station at Walmart or Kroger. Yummy! Huge difference. I recently (in a hurry) made chicken alfredo with a rotisserie chicken. YES!!!! What a WIN-WIN. Got 2 more meals from that chicken that coast me $6.50. I love Green Chef....Home Chef....Blue Apron. I did buy a silicone whisk. Love it.

May I just say, Yum!!!!!

I've heard that Green Chef is hands-down the best meal-kit delivery food out there. Oh how I wish they'd had GC (and YT!) when my twins were babies, and I couldn't leave the house to grocery shop, never mind out-to-eats!

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

I’m not exaggerating when I say we have liked every single meal we’ve tried. Not a single “dud”. That roasted chickpea dish I made in this video is one of my all time faves.

I love your videos and this is one of my favorites, off topic…may I please ask where you got your top?? It looks so comfy and cool 😊

I just stumbled across your channel and I am hooked. You are such a great communicator and I am enjoying your meal videos. After studying in Rome, I definitely am familiar with Cacio e Pepe! It is sooo good! New subscriber here!

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

Welcome aboard! Glad you found me! I wish I could make cacio e pepe like they do in Italy!

As a mexican I would HIGHLY recommend to add some adobo chipotle to that, it is DELICIOUS!!!

It IS preshredded, but you can get pecorino romano from Sam's Club. My husband and I use it now instead of parnassian on top of spaghetti. Also, I learned today that you can make Alfredo with Greek yogurt! I need to try that.

We haven’t been to Olive Garden in quite some time and I couldn’t believe their menu prices! We let our kids pick the restaurant for their birthday meal and of course they pick OG lol 🤦🏻‍♀️ They love those darn breadsticks lol 🥖 My husband and I actually got the unlimited soup/salad/breadsticks instead of a meal and I think the unlimited was around $10 which was almost half the cost of one of their main dishes. I definitely will try your Alfredo recipe, my son loves it so much and I would love to make it for him much cheaper at home 🏡😋

This is one of kids favorite meals!! I always try to keep the ingredients on hand. I generally add broccoli to it to sneak in veggies lol. Although they find it since it turns the sauce green lol

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

I do that, too, sometimes!

@rharvey2124

2 жыл бұрын

Bet shredded carrots alone as an additive would work great also.

@tenthousanddaysofgratitude

2 жыл бұрын

I make a broccoli and spaghetti dish that just uses butter, garlic, spaghetti, pasta water and broccoli. I top it with Parmesan and it is lovely and light. The same recipe with cherry tomatoes toasted in the pan with garlic but on that one I don’t use cheese because of the sweetness of the tomatoes. Sun golds are the best. Loads of pasta recipes with veg. A mushroom sauce makes a nice topping for fettuccini too. I love pasta with veg too!!!

This looks marvelous Mindy. I thought a rue needed to be made eith flour and milk to make an alfredo. Good to know the way you make is also good.

Hi from New Zealand 🇳🇿, another great video. Do you think you would be able to do a series on making copycat seasonings for your viewers around the world 🌎. I'd like to share the Auntie Nono's flavour too amongst others. Thanks

Ment potato gnocchi using instant potatoes. Please show how to do this. So much more economical

I've always bought my Romano at TJ's or Costco

Great video as always!! Do you think you could make a video of protein-rich dishes for vegetarians on a budget? I’ve grown so tired of quinoa and bean bowls and lentil curry, which are two of my go-tos, and am looking for new ideas.

@tenthousanddaysofgratitude

2 жыл бұрын

Maybe look at foods from other cultures. Indian and Ethiopian cuisine has loads of vegetarian dishes that use beans and lentils and bean/lentil flours along with vegetables and they can be made dirt cheap. You can make them as spicy as your tastebuds want. If you’ve never eaten shiro wat (Ethiopian) then who cares if you make it the way Ethiopians would, as long as it tastes good to you. You can get Berbere spice for Ethiopian food on Amazon or at Trader Joes or maybe Whole Foods. I can’t remember which store I found it at but it was one of those two. If you can eat Tempeh or tofu then Asian dishes using those can be good. I’ve even found vegetarian dishes in Eastern European cuisine. Syrniki is a Russian/Ukrainian dish using dry curd cottage cheese, egg and flour to make yummy pancakes you can eat with stewed fruit or jam. There are many vegetarian and vegan versions of lentil or bean burgers, Buddha bowls, and a whole bunch of stuff you can do with nuts that is insanely good. I’ve made a cheese sauce with cashews, cornstarch, oatmeal, fire roasted peppers and nutritional yeast. And if you look at the “peasant” dishes of most cultures, they are vegetarian. I’m sure Mindy can come up with some videos but I hope those ideas might help. Also, there are whole channels dedicated to vegan, vegetarian, and ethnic cooking. I had to find new ways of cooking for my food allergies so I found experimenting with foods of other cultures to be fun. Almost (not quite) as fun as eating the old stuff I couldn’t eat anymore or having the pleasure of dining out. 🙂

@savanah1407

2 жыл бұрын

Yesss! I like to avoid meat but don’t like mushrooms. And I’m so over quinoa, brown rice & beans. Love most every other veggies other than mushrooms though. lol

@mssarec

2 жыл бұрын

@@tenthousanddaysofgratitude This was incredibly helpful!! Thank you so very much!

I have 3 cook books by Todd Wilbur. Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 1,2 and3. Theres a great Olive Garden Alfredo Pasta in one. Really close if not better than original! We were in Florida for my sons wedding. Ate out 9 times. I kid you not I coulda bought a months groceries for what it cost! Or more!😳 we seldom eat out normally so it was quite shocking!

At my Aldi, usually all they have is Romano because everyone buys all the Parmesean 😂

Homemade Alfredo sauce is the best!

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

I agree!!

Smittenkitchen has an amazing video on a no fail technique that’s worth checking out

Loved this! Now I need creamy pasta 😂

Have you tried parmesan lemon pasta? Really inexpensive and delicious!

@tenthousanddaysofgratitude

2 жыл бұрын

Oooooh! I made it for the first time this week and I vote for that dish! So good. So easy!

It is delicious on pizza also

I just made the alfredo. It cam out pretty good. The longest part besides stirring the cheese was actually grating it. 😂 almost lost a few fingers

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, parm is a firmer cheese so it can be tough to grate. Sorry about that!

This is still definitely cheaper than going out, but I have 3 teenage boys, and portions are much different for them!🤣

@SeeMindyMom

2 жыл бұрын

For sure! Our kids are definitely starting to eat more. Especially our swimmers!

YUM

cool