Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Recipe

There’s nothing quite like Olive Garden’s Alfredo Sauce – rich, creamy, and indulgently smooth, it’s the ultimate comfort food that makes any pasta dish shine. You don’t need to head out to a restaurant to enjoy this iconic sauce. This homemade version nails that luxurious, velvety texture and perfectly balanced garlicky-cheesy flavor. Whether you’re tossing it with fettuccine or drizzling it over veggies, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality Alfredo right to your table.

Our #1 Tip For This Recipe: Always use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. None of that pre-shredded stuff—it just doesn’t melt the same and can leave your sauce a little gritty. Grating your own cheese might feel like an extra step, but trust me, it makes all the difference. The result? A sauce that’s luxuriously creamy every time.

Ingredients: Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Recipe

Ingredients Overview

Tips for Making A Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

Temperature Control Is Key

• Bring your ingredients, including cheese, to room temperature before starting. Cold ingredients can cause the sauce to seize up or take longer to combine smoothly.

• Use low heat when sautéing the minced garlic in butter. Cook just until fragrant — about 30 seconds to 1 minute — to avoid burning, as it can make the sauce bitter.

• Cook the sauce over low to medium-low heat. High heat can cause the cream to scorch or the cheese to separate and turn grainy.

Achieve Creamy Alfredo with Gradual Mixing

• When adding flour, whisk constantly to avoid lumps. Similarly, whisk while adding the cheese to ensure it melts evenly and doesn’t clump.

• Don’t dump all the Parmesan in at once. Add it a little at a time, whisking well after each addition. This ensures it melts smoothly into the sauce.

Tips for the Perfect Consistency

Alfredo sauce shines brightest when served fresh, as it’s silky, creamy, and coats pasta beautifully straight off the stove.

If making Alfredo in advance, keep it slightly thinner than usual. This gives you wiggle room to adjust the consistency when reheating or mixing with pasta.

It’s normal for the sauce to thicken as it cools or sits. Here’s how to handle it:

Thickening After Mixing with Pasta – Don’t worry if the sauce seems a bit thin in the pan. Once combined with hot pasta, it will naturally thicken further, thanks to the starches in the pasta. Resist the urge to over-thicken while cooking, or you’ll end up with a gluey sauce once everything comes together.

Save Your Pasta Water – Before draining your pasta, scoop out a cup of starchy pasta water. This starchy liquid is a secret weapon for achieving the perfect sauce consistency. Add a splash to the Alfredo sauce while tossing with pasta to help the sauce cling better and adjust its thickness as needed.

How To Serve Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

When it comes to Alfredo sauce, it’s all about keeping it simple, creamy, and downright irresistible.

This rich, velvety sauce was made for tossing with pasta, but don’t stop there—it’s the ultimate blank canvas for adding your favorite proteins, fresh veggies, and sides.

Use This Sauce On

• Chicken and Broccoli Penne Alfredo
• Chicken Spinach Alfredo
• Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
• Asiago Chicken Alfredo

Pasta Recommendations

Fettuccine is the go-to pasta for Alfredo because its wide, flat shape allows the creamy sauce to coat it evenly. Each strand holds plenty of sauce, ensuring every bite is rich and satisfying.

Alternatives to Fettuccine

Similar to fettuccine but slightly thinner, linguine is a good option if you want the creaminess of Alfredo without it feeling too heavy. It’s great for a slightly lighter take on the dish.

While not traditional, spaghetti works in a pinch. Its thin, round shape still picks up enough sauce, though you may need to toss it well to ensure an even coating.

Other Great Options

If you’re looking to venture beyond the classics pasta pairings, there are plenty of other options that work wonderfully with Alfredo sauce.

• Try pappardelle for its wide ribbons that hold rich Alfredo sauce beautifully, or tagliatelle for a lighter alternative.
• Bucatini adds a fun twist with its hollow center capturing extra sauce.
• Penne and rigatoni trap creamy Alfredo in their tubular shapes, while cavatappi’s spirals cling to every drop, adding playful texture.
  

Adding Protein & Vegetables

For Protein: Grilled chicken breasts are a classic choice that pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce. If using shrimp, sauté them in garlic butter for extra flavor. For steak tips, season with a bit of salt and pepper before cooking to keep it simple yet delicious. Salmon works well too—roast or pan-sear it and flake it over the pasta just before serving.

For Vegetables: Steamed broccoli adds a fresh, green touch and is super kid-friendly. Sautéed mushrooms give an earthy depth to the dish. Roasted red peppers add a sweet, smoky flavor, while asparagus brings a light, crisp bite.

Tips:

• Cut proteins and veggies into bite-sized pieces for easier eating and better mixing with the pasta.
• If you’re short on time, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or frozen veggies that can be quickly steamed.
• Want a little crunch? Sprinkle crispy bacon or toasted breadcrumbs on top.
  

Pair With Side Dishes

• Copycat Olive Garden salad
• Caesar salad
• Simple sauteed vegetables
• Air fryer cabbage
• Garlic bread
• Cheesy pull-apart bread
  

Storing Olive Garden Copycat Alfredo

To store Alfredo sauce properly, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. We find a jar with a tight lid works well. You can refrigerate the sauce for up to three to four days.

For longer storage, Alfredo sauce can also be frozen, but keep in mind that the texture may change slightly due to the cream content.

To freeze, place the sauce in a freezer-safe container, leaving some room for expansion, and store it for up to two months. When ready to use, thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight.

How To Reheat Alfredo Sauce:

Reheating Alfredo sauce is simple but requires a gentle touch to maintain its creamy texture.

• Warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently, or use the microwave in short intervals, whisking until smooth.
• If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of milk, cream, chicken broth, or reserved pasta water to loosen it and restore its velvety consistency.
• Avoid high heat, as it can cause the sauce to separate.

There’s something undeniably satisfying about recreating restaurant-quality Alfredo sauce in your own kitchen. It’s rich, creamy, and indulgent—a little bowl of comfort that feels like a special treat every time.

Whether you’re serving it over pasta, pairing it with your favorite add-ins, or savoring it straight from the spoon (no judgment here!), this recipe is sure to become a staple.

So grab your whisk and get that Parmesan ready because once you’ve tasted this copycat Olive Garden alfredo sauce you’ll never go back to the jarred stuff again.

More Italian-Inspired Recipes

• Italian Pasta Salad
• Italian Sausage Pasta
• Creamy Italian Chicken With Pasta
• Italian Cookies