The Creamiest Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Recipe You’ll Ever Master

Creamy, rich sauces can turn any ordinary meal into a lavish olive garden alfredo sauce experience that transports you straight to a cozy Italian kitchen.

Pasta lovers rejoice when this silky sauce cascades over perfectly cooked noodles.

Elegant yet surprisingly simple, this recipe captures the essence of comfort food.

Each spoonful promises a luxurious blend of parmesan, butter, and heavy cream.

The magic lies in balancing ingredients with precision and love.

Prepare to elevate your pasta nights with this restaurant-worthy recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 530 kcal

Servings: 4

Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce: What You Need

• Unsalted Butter: Provides a rich, silky foundation for the sauce's luxurious texture.
• Cream Cheese: Adds incredible smoothness and helps create a velvety consistency.

• Heavy Cream: Creates the signature dreamy, luscious Alfredo texture that coats pasta perfectly.

• Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: Delivers sharp, nutty depth and authentic Italian character to the sauce.
• Minced Garlic: Brings a zesty, aromatic punch that elevates the entire sauce profile.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the overall flavor complexity.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and gentle spiciness.

• Garlic Powder: Provides an extra layer of garlic intensity if desired.
• Nutmeg: Offers a subtle, sophisticated warmth that complements the creamy base.

Tools to Craft Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

• Large Saucepan: Essential for melting butter, cream cheese, and creating the sauce base.
• Wooden Spoon or Whisk: Perfect for stirring ingredients smoothly and preventing sticking.
• Grater: Needed for freshly grating Parmesan cheese for maximum flavor.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for mincing garlic and chopping optional garnish like parsley.
• Cutting Board: Provides clean surface for ingredient preparation.

Directions to Make Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

• Butter and Cream Cheese Melt

Heat a large saucepan over medium flame. Drop in unsalted butter and let it melt smoothly. Toss in cream cheese and whisk constantly until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform texture, which takes around 3 minutes.

• Cream Infusion

Gently stream heavy cream into the saucepan, stirring continuously. Coax the mixture to a soft simmer without allowing it to boil, creating a luxurious base for your sauce.

• Parmesan Magic

Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan into the simmering liquid. Stir persistently until the cheese dissolves completely, resulting in a velvety, dreamy consistency that defines classic Alfredo.

• Flavor Explosion

Introduce minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and ground pepper. Optional: Enhance with a whisper of garlic powder and nutmeg. Blend thoroughly, tasting and adjusting seasonings to your preference.

• Sauce Perfection

Allow the sauce to bubble gently for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Watch as it thickens to a luscious, coating consistency. If it becomes too dense, splash in extra cream to restore its silky flow.

• Serve and Indulge

Cascade the creamy sauce over pasta, drizzle on breadsticks, or use as a decadent topping for chicken and vegetables. Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh parsley for a restaurant-worthy presentation.

Add-Ins & Tips for Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

• Creamy Consistency Secrets: Whisk continuously while adding ingredients to prevent lumps and ensure a silky-smooth texture that coats pasta beautifully.
• Cheese Quality Matters: Always use freshly grated Parmesan instead of pre-shredded cheese, which contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This Alfredo sauce can be refrigerated for 3-4 days. Gently reheat over low heat, adding a splash of cream to restore its original creamy consistency.
• Diet-Friendly Twists: For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or use low-fat cream cheese. Gluten-free diners can enjoy this sauce over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a nutritious alternative.
• Flavor Boosting Hacks: Experiment with adding roasted garlic, white wine, or a pinch of red pepper flakes to elevate the traditional Alfredo flavor profile and create a more complex sauce.

Delicious Ways to Serve Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

• Pasta Paradise Platter: Drizzle the Alfredo sauce generously over a steaming plate of fettuccine, creating swirls of creamy goodness that invite every bite to be a luxurious experience.
• Protein Power-Up: Transform grilled chicken breasts or seared shrimp by coating them completely in this velvety sauce, turning simple proteins into a gourmet meal that will impress dinner guests.
• Veggie Volcano: Roast seasonal vegetables like broccoli, zucchini, and bell peppers, then lavish them with the Alfredo sauce for a decadent side dish that makes healthy eating feel indulgent and exciting.
• Bread Lover's Dream: Use the sauce as a dipping companion for warm, crusty breadsticks or as a rich spread on toasted garlic bread, elevating simple carbs into a mouthwatering appetizer or snack.

How to Store Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

• Quick Refrigeration Tips: Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the sauce completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal flavor quality.
• Freezing Strategy: Carefully transfer sauce to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight expansion room. Freeze for maximum 1-2 months. Thaw slowly in refrigerator overnight, then gently reheat using low heat while stirring constantly to restore smooth consistency.
• Reheating Technique: Warm sauce in a saucepan over low-medium heat, adding splash of cream or milk to restore original silky texture. Stir frequently to prevent scorching and maintain creamy smoothness. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent sauce separation.
• Batch Preparation Hack: Double the recipe and portion sauce into individual serving containers. This meal prep approach saves time and provides quick dinner solutions for busy weeknights. Label containers with date and contents for easy kitchen organization.

Velvety Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Rich, creamy copycat Olive Garden alfredo sauce brings restaurant-quality pasta to home kitchens with simple ingredients and easy preparation. Garlic, butter, and parmesan cheese combine seamlessly for you to enjoy a classic Italian-American favorite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups (150 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Romano cheese
• 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (1 stick/113 g) unsalted butter
• 2 tbsps cream cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp white pepper

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Instructions

1. Melting Butter Base: Gently melt unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, creating a golden foundation for the luxurious sauce.
2. Creamy Integration: Whisk cream cheese into the melted butter, eliminating lumps and forming a smooth, uniform mixture that serves as the sauce’s creamy backbone.
3. Dairy Emulsion: Gradually pour heavy cream while stirring, ensuring a seamless incorporation of dairy components without causing separation or curdling.
4. Cheese Transformation: Fold in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until completely dissolved, developing a rich, glossy emulsion that defines the sauce’s character.
5. Flavor Refinement: Introduce minced garlic, salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and a subtle hint of nutmeg, carefully balancing seasonings to elevate the sauce’s complex flavor profile.
6. Simmering Perfection: Allow the sauce to simmer delicately, stirring periodically to prevent scorching and promote harmonious flavor melding, adjusting consistency by extending cooking time or adding cream as needed.
7. Final Presentation: Cascade the velvety Alfredo sauce over prepared pasta, garnishing with additional Parmesan and fresh parsley to create a restaurant-quality culinary masterpiece that tantalizes the taste buds.

Notes

• Maintain Butter Temperature: Start with medium heat to prevent burning and achieve a golden base without scorching the butter.
• Prevent Cheese Clumping: Grate Parmesan fresh and add gradually while stirring constantly to ensure smooth, lump-free sauce integration.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Watch simmering carefully, stirring frequently to avoid sticking and adjust thickness by adding cream or extending cooking time if needed.
• Enhance Dietary Adaptations: Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk alternatives for lighter versions, and use gluten-free Parmesan for celiac-friendly option.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 62 g
• Saturated Fat: 37 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg