Homemade Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Recipe: Silky Perfection

Whipping up a creamy copycat olive garden alfredo sauce at home feels like unlocking a secret culinary treasure.

Restaurants often guard their most beloved recipes with intense protectiveness.

Pasta lovers dream about recreating that signature restaurant-quality taste in their own kitchens.

Rich, velvety textures and bold flavors can now dance across your plate without stepping into an Italian restaurant.

Mediterranean cooking techniques merge with simple ingredients to craft something magical.

Cheese, butter, and cream collaborate in a delicious symphony that promises restaurant-worthy results.

FAQs

• Is this sauce authentic to Olive Garden?

While inspired by Olive Garden’s recipe, this is a homemade version that captures the creamy, rich essence of the restaurant’s famous alfredo sauce.

• Can I use different types of cheese?

Parmesan is traditional, but you can experiment with romano or a blend of hard cheeses to modify the flavor profile slightly.

• Why use cream cheese in this recipe?

Cream cheese adds extra richness and helps create a smoother, more velvety texture that makes the sauce extra luxurious and creamy.

• How do I prevent the sauce from separating?

Keep the heat low and stir constantly after adding the cheese. Avoid boiling the sauce, which can cause it to break and become grainy.

Alfredo Sauce That’s Creamy, Classic, and Restaurant-Worthy

• Whip Up Comfort Quickly: Incredibly simple recipe that even beginner cooks can master, requiring minimal cooking skills and basic kitchen tools.
• Indulge in Luxurious Flavors: Delivers restaurant-quality creamy sauce with rich, decadent taste that feels like a gourmet meal straight from Olive Garden.
• Perfect Family Dinner Solution: Crowd-pleasing dish that appeals to both kids and adults, making it an ideal weeknight meal that brings everyone together around the table.
• Customize with Ease: Versatile recipe allows adding protein like chicken or shrimp, transforming a basic pasta dish into a complete, satisfying meal in minutes.

What You’ll Need for Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Copycat

• Pasta: Classic base for the Alfredo sauce.

• Butter: Creamy starter for the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Rich and luxurious liquid base.
• Cream Cheese: Adds extra smoothness and tang.
• Parmesan Cheese: Classic Italian cheese for authentic flavor.

• Garlic, Salt, White Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor profile of the sauce.

Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce How to Cook It Right

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Cook the pasta following package directions. Drain and set aside in a warm spot.

Step 2: Sauté Garlic

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant and golden, about 2 minutes.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

• Heavy cream
• Cream cheese

Stir continuously until the mixture begins to bubble and look smooth. Avoid boiling the mixture.

Step 4: Incorporate Cheese

Reduce heat to low. Slowly whisk in Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese completely melts and creates a velvety texture.

Step 5: Season Sauce

Sprinkle in salt and white pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference. The sauce should be rich and well-balanced.

Step 6: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Pour the hot, creamy sauce over the cooked pasta. Gently toss until every strand is generously coated with the luxurious Alfredo sauce.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer to serving plates immediately. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Savor the restaurant-quality Alfredo sauce right at home!

Alfredo Sauce Tips for Creamy Olive Garden Copycats

• Choose Fresh Ingredients: Use high-quality Parmesan cheese and fresh garlic for the most authentic and robust flavor profile.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Stir continuously and maintain a low heat to ensure a smooth, creamy texture without curdling or breaking.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Add more cream if the sauce becomes too thick, or simmer briefly to thicken if it's too thin.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Sprinkle some dried parsley or fresh herbs like basil to add a subtle aromatic touch to the classic Alfredo sauce.
• Store and Reheat Wisely: Refrigerate leftover sauce in an airtight container and gently reheat on low heat, stirring frequently to maintain creamy consistency.

Keep Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Fresh

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation.
• Carefully place sauce in freezer-safe containers, leaving 1/2 inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 2 months. Separate pasta and sauce for best texture.
• Warm sauce in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Add a splash of cream or milk to restore original consistency. Avoid overheating to prevent sauce separation.
• Gently reheat sauce in a pan over low heat. Whisk continuously and add small amounts of cream to maintain smoothness. Stir until heated through and creamy.

Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Serving Companions

Amplify Pasta Pleasure: Perfect Pairings

• Crisp White Wine Companion: Select a chardonnay or pinot grigio to complement the creamy sauce, cutting through the richness with bright, refreshing notes.
• Texture-Loving Side Salad: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the heavy alfredo, adding a zesty green crunch that refreshes the palate.
• Roasted Veggie Sidekick: Prepare garlic-roasted asparagus or broccoli, which adds nutritional depth and provides a subtle green contrast to the white sauce's creaminess.
• Protein Power-Up: Grill chicken breast or sauté shrimp to integrate lean protein, making the dish more substantial and introducing a delicate protein flavor that melds beautifully with the alfredo.

Alfredo Sauce Copycat Style Swaps

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use vegan cream cheese. Swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast to create a plant-based version that's just as creamy.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free. This adaptation keeps the classic flavor while accommodating wheat-sensitive diners.
• Lighter Alfredo Approach: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use reduced-fat cream cheese. Greek yogurt can replace some cream for a protein-packed, lower-calorie alternative.
• Herb-Infused Version: Add fresh chopped basil, thyme, or parsley during the garlic sautéing stage. Incorporate roasted garlic or sun-dried tomatoes for an extra flavor dimension that elevates the traditional recipe.

Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce elevates pasta nights with creamy, luxurious flavors straight from Italian kitchens. Rich parmesan and smooth cream create a restaurant-quality sauce you can effortlessly craft at home in minutes.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pint (473 ml) heavy cream
• 1 stick (113 g) butter
• 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Supporting Ingredients:

• 1 package pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your favorite)
• 2 tablespoons (30 g) cream cheese

Seasonings:

• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pasta according to package guidelines, ensuring al dente texture. Carefully drain and reserve.
2. Select a spacious saucepan and gently melt butter over medium temperature, creating a smooth base for the sauce.
3. Introduce finely chopped garlic to the melted butter, allowing the aromatics to release their fragrant essence for approximately two minutes.
4. Gradually incorporate heavy cream and cream cheese into the pan, maintaining consistent stirring to prevent scorching and promote smooth integration.
5. Continue whisking until the mixture develops a gentle bubbling consistency, taking care to avoid aggressive boiling.
6. Reduce heat to low and incrementally introduce Parmesan cheese, systematically stirring until the cheese completely dissolves and transforms the sauce into a luxuriously velvety texture.
7. Delicately season the alfredo sauce with salt and white pepper, thoughtfully adjusting the flavor profile to personal preference.
8. Elegantly combine the prepared pasta with the creamy sauce, ensuring each pasta strand becomes thoroughly enrobed in the rich, decadent coating.
9. Transfer immediately to serving plates, presenting a restaurant-quality dish that captures the essence of classic Olive Garden alfredo.

Notes

• Select high-quality Parmesan cheese for the most authentic and rich flavor profile.
• Grate the Parmesan fresh to ensure smooth melting and prevent clumping in the sauce.
• Keep the heat low when adding cheese to prevent separation and maintain a silky texture.
• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use reduced-fat cream cheese.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 740
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 62g
• Saturated Fat: 38g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 51g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 18g
• Cholesterol: 150mg