I love recreating restaurant favorites at home, and this Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce copycat recipe is one of my all-time favorites. It’s a rich, creamy sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and freshly grated cheeses that perfectly coats pasta like fettuccine. Simple to make but packed with flavor, it brings the comforting Italian restaurant experience right to my kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I appreciate how easy and quick this Alfredo sauce comes together, with just a handful of ingredients that you probably already have on hand. The combination of butter, cream, garlic, and fresh Parmesan creates a luxurious, velvety texture and savory flavor that beats store-bought sauces every time. Plus, I can customize it with extra Romano cheese or add-ins like chicken or shrimp to make it a full meal.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
2 cups heavy cream
3 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese (optional, for extra flavor)
Salt & pepper to taste
Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Directions
In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, making sure not to brown it.
Pour in the heavy cream, stir, and let it simmer gently for 3-4 minutes. Avoid boiling hard.
Slowly stir in the Parmesan and Romano cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and the cheese has melted.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Toss immediately with hot cooked pasta, such as fettuccine.
Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes enough Alfredo sauce to generously coat about 4 servings of pasta. The total prep and cooking time is roughly 15 minutes, making it a perfect quick dinner option.
Variations
I like to switch things up by adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or steamed broccoli to the sauce for a more filling meal. If I ever find the sauce too thick, I gently thin it out with a splash of reserved pasta water or a bit of milk. For a slightly lighter version, I sometimes use half-and-half instead of all heavy cream, but it won’t be quite as rich.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftover Alfredo sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. When reheating, I warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or milk to restore its creamy consistency. Stir often to prevent it from breaking or separating.
Related Recipes:
- Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
- Mexican Restaurant Cheese Dip
- Restaurant Style Sweet and Sour Sauce
FAQs
How do I prevent the Alfredo sauce from separating?
I find that keeping the heat moderate and stirring continuously while adding cheese helps the sauce stay smooth. Also, reheating gently with some extra cream or milk prevents separation.
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, I sometimes make the sauce ahead and refrigerate it. Just reheat slowly and add a bit of cream or milk to bring back the creamy texture.
What pasta goes best with Alfredo sauce?
I prefer fettuccine because its flat shape holds the sauce beautifully, but penne, linguine, or even spaghetti work well too.
Can I freeze leftover Alfredo sauce?
I usually avoid freezing Alfredo sauce because the cream can separate when thawed, but if needed, freeze in small portions and thaw slowly in the fridge before reheating.
Is it okay to use pre-grated Parmesan cheese?
I always use freshly grated Parmesan because it melts better and gives a smoother sauce. Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect texture.
Conclusion
This Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce copycat is one of my go-to recipes for a comforting, creamy pasta dinner that feels special but is so easy to make. The rich butter and cheese flavors combined with garlic and cream create a classic Italian taste I never tire of. Whether I keep it simple or add my favorite proteins and veggies, it’s always a hit. I hope this recipe brings that same delicious, homemade indulgence to your table.
📖 Recipe:
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Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Copycat
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich, creamy, and easy-to-make Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce copycat recipe with butter, heavy cream, garlic, and freshly grated cheeses that perfectly coats pasta like fettuccine.
Ingredients
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
2 cups heavy cream
3 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese (optional, for extra flavor)
Salt & pepper to taste
Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, making sure not to brown it.
- Pour in the heavy cream, stir, and let it simmer gently for 3-4 minutes. Avoid boiling hard.
- Slowly stir in the Parmesan and Romano cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and the cheese has melted.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss immediately with hot cooked pasta, such as fettuccine.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best texture and flavor.
For a thinner sauce, add reserved pasta water or a splash of milk.
Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or steamed broccoli to make it a full meal.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheat gently with a splash of cream or milk to restore creaminess and prevent separation.
Avoid freezing if possible, as cream sauces may separate upon thawing.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approx.)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 26g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
