Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo is a classic Italian-American dish that many people adore. If you love it too and want to try making it at home, this copycat recipe is the way to go. Combining key ingredients including cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese, this version of the dish will have you feeling like you are dining in an Italian restaurant! The flavor comes close to the original version and the whole family will be asking for seconds. It’s sure to be a hit with your family and friends, so give this delicious sauce a try today!
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Below you will find tips, tricks and helpful hints for making this recipe including step by step instructions with pictures. If you would like to go directly to the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card or tap “Jump to Recipe” at the top of the page.
Why You’ll Love this Easy Alfredo Sauce Recipe
This dish is rich and creamy, perfect for a comforting meal. The Parmesan cheese adds great flavor, while the white pepper brings out the other ingredients and gives it an added kick.
It’s simple to make but looks impressive enough for a special occasion. And since this recipe yields six servings, you can easily double or triple it to feed a crowd at a dinner party.
Serve it up with a crisp salad and some crusty garlic bread, and you have yourself a comforting Italian dish that everyone will love. If you love Olive Garden, you might also want to try these Olive Garden Giant Stuffed Shells!
Optional Add-Ins:
- Grilled or Rotisserie Chicken
- Broccoli
- Bacon Pieces
- Mushrooms
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Shrimp
Ingredients for Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Recipe
*Ingredient amounts are located in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Butter: A key ingredient and base for any Alfredo sauce that gives it a rich flavor. You can use salted or unsalted butter.
Minced Garlic: Adds a subtle flavor to the sauce. Garlic powder may be substituted.
All-Purpose Flour: Used as a thickener for the Alfredo sauce.
Heavy Whipping Cream and Milk: Both are used together to create a smooth, creamy texture. I used 2% milk, but whole milk will work also.
Parmesan Cheese: Gives this dish its signature savory flavor. Fresh parmesan cheese works best for melting and if possible, use a blend of half Parmesan and half Romano cheese.
Ground White Pepper, Salt, and Nutmeg: All of these spices are optional, but they add a nice flavor to the sauce.
Fettuccine Pasta: For this recipe, I used store-bought fettuccine noodles, you can use fresh or dried.
How to Make Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
[1] Cook pasta in a large pot according to the package directions.
[2] While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat and add the garlic. Sprinkle with flour and whisk for one minute to create a roux.
[3] Slowly whisk in the heavy cream, followed by the milk. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat and simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken.
[4] Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese into the sauce along with the white pepper, black pepper, salt, and nutmeg (if desired).
[5] Add the cooked and drained pasta to the sauce and stir to coat the noodles.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
How to Store Leftover Alfredo Sauce
Leftover Fettuccine Alfredo can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat by adding a splash of milk or cream before serving. You can also freeze it, but the texture will change after being frozen, so it is best consumed within 1-2 months.
More Pasta Recipes
- TikTok Spaghetti Alfredo
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Spaghetti Factory’s Spaghetti with Browned Butter & Mizithra Cheese
- Lasagna with Ricotta Cheese
- The Cheesecake Factory’s Four Cheese Pasta
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use cream cheese in place of the heavy cream. Just make sure to use a full-fat variety and add extra milk if the sauce is too thick.
Shredded Parmesan or a blend of half Parmesan and half Romano cheese will work best.
Yes, you can make the sauce up to 2 days in advance. Just store it covered in the fridge until ready to use. When you’re ready to serve, cook the fettuccine according to package directions and then add the cooked noodles to the sauce.
Absolutely! Whole wheat pasta is a great alternative to regular fettuccine. Just keep in mind that it will take a few minutes longer to cook than traditional pasta.
Stir in a little bit of milk, cream, or pasta water to the sauce before adding the pasta.
Tips & Tricks
- For a cheesy flavor, use a combination of Parmesan and Romano cheese.
- If the sauce is too thick, add more milk or pasta water to thin it out.
- For an added punch of flavor, sprinkle with red pepper flakes before serving.
- If you want to make it extra creamy, stir in a little bit of cream cheese when adding the Parmesan cheese.
- To make it vegetarian, swap out the butter for olive oil and use vegetable stock instead of heavy cream.
Final Thoughts
Olive Garden’s Fettuccine Alfredo is a delicious and easy dinner idea that can be ready in under 30 minutes. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make this classic creamy sauce at home and customize it with your favorite seasonings and toppings.
For those looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a special meal to impress, this is the best Alfredo sauce and is sure to satisfy. Enjoy!
More Copycat Recipes
- Cheesecake Factory’s Caramel Pecan Turtle Cheesecake
- Crumbl Sugar Cookies
- Macaroni Grill’s Rosemary Bread
- Buffalo Wild Wing’s Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Olive Garden Alfredo Video:
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Olive Garden's Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
Olive Garden’s Fettuccine Alfredo is a classic Italian-American dish that many people adore. If you love it too and want to try making it at home, this copycat recipe is the way to go. Combining key ingredients including cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese, this version of the dish will have you feeling like you are dining in an Italian restaurant! The flavor comes close to the original version and the whole family will be asking for seconds. It's sure to be a hit with your family and friends, so give this delicious sauce a try today!
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Butter
- 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 2 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Cups Heavy Cream
- 1 Cup Milk
- 1 1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded
- 1/2 Teaspoon Ground White Pepper
- Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
- Pinch of Nutmeg, if desired
- 16 Ounces Fettuccine Pasta
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot according to the package directions.
- While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat and add the garlic. Sprinkle with flour and whisk for one minute to create a roux.
- Slowly whisk in the heavy cream, followed by the milk.
- Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat and simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese into the sauce along with the white pepper, black pepper, salt, and nutmeg (if desired).
- Add the cooked and drained pasta to the sauce and stir to coat the noodles.
Notes
- For a cheesy flavor, use a combination of Parmesan and Romano cheese.
- If the sauce is too thick, add more milk or pasta water to thin it out.
- For an added punch of flavor, sprinkle with red pepper flakes before serving.
- If you want to make it extra creamy, stir in a little bit of cream cheese when adding the Parmesan cheese.
- To make it vegetarian, swap out the butter for olive oil and use vegetable stock instead of heavy cream.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 ServingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 669Total Fat: 51gSaturated Fat: 32gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 602mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gProtein: 17g
