PrintCopycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce: Creamy and Easy Homemade Recipe
You can make the rich, creamy flavor of Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce at home. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients and comes together in under 20 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners or dipping breadsticks.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
- Pour in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer the cream mixture for about 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Stir in the salt, pepper, and nutmeg, if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve immediately over cooked fettuccine or use as a dip for breadsticks.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melting quality and flavor; pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that make the sauce grainy.
- If the sauce becomes too thick upon standing, whisk in a splash of warm milk or reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- This sauce pairs well with grilled chicken or shrimp for a complete Italian Dinner Idea.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 42
- Saturated Fat: 25
- Unsaturated Fat: 17
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 140