Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

With just six simple steps, this delicious copycat Olive Garden alfredo sauce has a creamy flavor that is just like the restaurant favorite. Your taste buds will thank you!

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Table of Contents

Olive Garden Alfredo Recipe Ingredients
Olive Garden Alfredo Recipe Substitutions & Additions
How to make Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
Tips for extra creamy Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
How to serve Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
Storing Olive Garden Copycat Alfredo
Olive Garden Alfredo Recipe FAQs
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Who doesn’t love Olive Garden’s creamy Alfredo sauce? Sometimes, whipping up a restaurant-quality meal at home feels intimidating. Here at Spaceships and Laser Beams, we’ve been creating and testing recipes for over a decade, and we’re all about making delicious food accessible to everyone. That’s why we developed this copycat Olive Garden Alfredo sauce – it’s easy to follow, uses simple ingredients, and delivers that same incredibly rich and flavorful taste you crave.

Our team includes experienced recipe developers and testers who are passionate about bringing restaurant favorites to your kitchen. We understand the importance of replicating those classic flavors you know and love. This copycat recipe was meticulously crafted in multiple kitchens to capture the essence of Olive Garden’s Alfredo sauce, using readily available ingredients to create a smooth, decadent sauce that will elevate any pasta dish.

Olive Garden Alfredo Recipe Ingredients

Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce raw ingredients that are labeled

You’ll need:

16-ounce package of fettuccine
6 tablespoons of salted butter
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
½ teaspoon of salt
2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
1¼ cups of heavy whipping cream
1½ cups of whole milk
1 cup of parmesan cheese, shredded
Fresh parsley, finely chopped

Olive Garden Alfredo Recipe Substitutions & Additions

PROTEIN: Adding protein is a great idea for pasta with Alfredo sauce. Some of our favorite options include shrimp, grilled chicken breasts, steak tips, or salmon.

VEGETABLES: You can’t go wrong with adding veggies to your Alfredo. Try adding cooked broccoli, mushrooms, red peppers, or asparagus.

PASTA: The classic choice to go with Alfredo sauce is fettuccine, but there is no reason you can’t choose a different pasta shape. Pick your favorite pasta to mix with this creamy sauce. If you are able to find fresh homemade pasta, it would make this meal even more delicious.

CHEESE: Olive Garden uses both parmesan and Romano cheeses but you can just use parmesan. Or you can use mozzarella, gruyere, asiago, gouda, or even an Italian cheese blend for this recipe.

How to make Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

STEP ONE: Cook pasta per package directions, drain, and set aside.

STEP TWO: In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt butter. Add minced garlic, garlic powder, and salt. Whisk together to combine.

butter, garlic, and garlic powder being whisked together in a skillet

STEP THREE: Sprinkle the flour over the butter and garlic mixture. Whisk together and then slowly add in the heavy cream and milk while still whisking. Let the sauce begin to boil and then reduce the heat to low temperature and allow the cream mixture to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Heat the butter and cream to bubbling so that the cheese melts better when added.

flour sprinkled into the butter mixture and whisk together with cream and milk

STEP FOUR: Add in the parmesan cheese and whisk together.

PRO TIP:

To help make your sauce extra creamy, allow your cheese to come to room temperature before adding it to the sauce.

STEP FIVE: Add in the cooked and drained fettuccine. Using tongs, toss the pasta in the sauce to coat it well.

PRO TIP:

Alfredo sauce thickens while standing and thickens even more when added to pasta. If it seems too thin, resist the urge to thicken it as it will thicken once mixed with your pasta.

pasta being added to Alfredo sauce in a skillet

STEP SIX: Garnish with a bit of fresh, chopped parsley and fresh parmesan cheese and serve!

Tips for extra creamy Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

Here are some tips for making an extra creamy Olive Garden-style Alfredo sauce:

CHEESE
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Grate your own for the creamiest texture.
- Let the cheese come to room temperature before adding it. Cold cheese can seize the sauce.
- Consider adding a touch of another cheese, like mozzarella, gruyere, or asiago, for extra richness.
FAT CONTENT
- Use high-quality butter.
- You can substitute some of the heavy cream with cream cheese for an even richer sauce.
COOKING TEMPERATURE:
- Don’t overheat the sauce after adding cheese. High heat can make the cheese separate and turn grainy.
- Keep in mind the sauce will thicken as it cools slightly.

How to serve Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

Pasta is a classic dish that is often served with salad and bread on the side. Try our Caesar salad and garlic bread. You can also choose to serve your fettuccine alfredo as a side dish along with our baked bruschetta chicken.

Wondering how to complete your fettuccine Alfredo pasta meal? Try starting the meal out with this recipe for copycat Olive Garden salad, and don’t forget the side of bread! This cheesy pull-apart bread is the perfect side for any pasta dish.

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Storing Olive Garden Copycat Alfredo

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover Alfredo sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 days. Typically, I find that using a jar with a tight lid works best.

Can you freeze Alfredo sauce?: You can also freeze leftover Alfredo sauce for up to 2 months. To do so, place the sauce in a freezer-safe bag or container and place it in the freezer. Let it thaw before reheating for a super easy dinner!

How to reheat Alfredo sauce:: The alfredo sauce can easily be reheated either in the microwave (the time will vary depending on the quantity) and then whisked until smooth. You can also reheat the sauce on the stovetop on low heat until heated through. If you find that the sauce is still too thick, add a splash of milk or chicken broth when reheating.

close up overhead shot of a serving of Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce with pasta and garnished with parsley in a bowl with a fork

Save yourself the trip to Olive Garden next time, by using this recipe instead for an easy dinner idea! Copycat Olive Garden alfredo sauce can be made easily from the comfort of your own kitchen and tastes just like the real thing, full of fresh garlic and cheese. With just six steps to the instructions, you’ll have a creamy, homemade Alfredo sauce that is perfect over any type of pasta.

Olive Garden Alfredo Recipe FAQs

What kind of pasta works best with this Alfredo recipe?

Fettuccine is recommended for this amazing recipe and the one used by the restaurant chain because it is nice and broad, and the sauce clings to it well. If you prefer to use a different pasta, it will still taste amazing!

Can I add vegetables to fettuccine Alfredo?

Sauteed vegetables would be delicious in this sauce. Try mushrooms, red peppers, onion, asparagus, and broccoli for great options.

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Olive Garden Alfredo Recipe

5 from 79 votes

With just six simple steps, this delicious copycat Olive Garden alfredo sauce has a creamy flavor that is just like the restaurant favorite. Your taste buds will thank you!

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Servings

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Ingredients

16 ounces fettuccine
6 tablespoons salted butter
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1¼ cup heavy whipping cream
1½ cup whole milk
1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
fresh parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

Cook pasta per package directions, drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add butter and let it melt. Add minced garlic, garlic powder, and salt. Whisk together to combine.
Sprinkle the flour over the butter and garlic mixture. Whisk together and then slowly add the heavy cream and milk while whisking. Let sauce begin to boil and then reduce heat to low and allow it to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add parmesan cheese and whisk together.
Add the cooked and drained fettuccine. Use tongs to toss the pasta in the sauce.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

Video

Notes

Heating the butter and cream to bubbling so that the cheese melts better when added.
To help make your sauce extra creamy, allow your cheese to come to room temperature before adding it to the sauce.
Alfredo sauce thickens while standing and thickens even more when added to pasta. If it seems too thin, resist the urge to thicken it as it will thicken once mixing it with your pasta.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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Layne Kangas Marketing
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant

Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Recipe