I love whipping up this homemade Alfredo sauce that totally transforms any dinner experience. The blend of butter, cream, garlic, and Parmesan creates a smooth, indulgent flavor that clings to every strand of fettuccine. It’s a simple, satisfying dish that adds a touch of Italian charm to my everyday meals.

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I recently tried making Olive Garden’s famous Alfredo Sauce at home and it turned out pretty well in just 20 minutes. I started with 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces, and melted it in a pan.

Then, I added 2 minced garlic cloves and let it smell amazing before pouring in 2 cups of heavy cream. I stirred in 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper.

What I love about this recipe is its simplicity and how it mirrors the original Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce. It’s the perfect partner for fettuccine to create an easy Italian dinner idea the whole family can enjoy.

This sauce is not only a great dipping sauce option but can also be used in a Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo dish or even a pasta carbonara style dish. Enjoy making and sharing this quick meal that packs a delicious punch.

#alfredo #olivegarden #fettuccine #pasta #italian #dinner

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, the sauce turns out incredibly creamy and rich, which makes every bite feel super luxurious. Second, it’s really fast and easy to whip up—just 20 minutes and you’re ready to eat, which is perfect when I’m in a hurry. Third, the garlic gives it a kick that really hits the spot; it isn’t too overwhelming but adds a ton of flavor. Lastly, the whole process smells amazing and makes my kitchen feel like a little Italian trattoria, even if I’m just cooking for myself.

Make your own Olive Garden alfredo sauce at home in about 20 minutes! Toss it with fettuccine for an easy dinner idea that your family will love. It’s super simple and makes you feel like a real chef even if you mess up a few times. #alfredo #olivegarden #fettuccine #pasta #italian #dinner

Ingredients

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Unsalted butter provides luscious richness, smooth mouthfeel, and elevates the sauce with creamy flavor.
Heavy cream gives a silky texture and thick, indulgent base that perfectly binds flavors.
Garlic infuses a punch of zest with warming aroma, balancing the rich creaminess nicely.
Parmesan cheese delivers a sharp, salty umami kick, merging perfectly with butter and cream.
Salt enhances overall taste, carefully balancing the savory cream and cheese flavors in every bite.
Ground black pepper adds a gentle spicy finish that rounds out the bold flavor medley.
Together, these ingredients create a deliciously rich Alfredo sauce that comforts and satisfies.

Ingredient Quantities

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces

2 cups heavy cream

2 garlic cloves, minced (or crushed if you like it extra garlicky)

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

How to Make this

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1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium low heat until it’s completely melted.

2. Add the minced garlic and let it gently fry in the butter for about a minute so you can smell the aroma.

3. Pour in the heavy cream and stir everything together real good.

4. Bring the mixture to a light simmer on medium heat while stirring occasionally.

5. Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until it melts and the sauce turns smooth.

6. Sprinkle in the salt and ground black pepper, and give it a stir.

7. Let the sauce simmer for another 2-3 minutes so it thickens up a bit, making sure not to let it boil fully.

8. Taste the sauce and adjust the salt or pepper if needed.

9. Remove the sauce from the heat and toss it with your cooked fettuccine until every strand is nicely coated.

10. Serve it hot and enjoy your homemade Olive Garden Alfredo with a side of crusty bread if you like.

Equipment Needed

1. Medium saucepan – to melt butter, fry garlic and simmer your sauce
2. Measuring cups and spoons – for getting the right amounts of butter, cream, salt and pepper
3. Wooden spoon – to stir and mix ingredients while cooking
4. Knife and cutting board – to mince the garlic and cut butter into pieces
5. Grater – for freshly grating the Parmesan cheese
6. Large pot – to boil the fettuccine
7. Colander – for draining the pasta once it’s cooked
8. Serving bowl or plate – to toss the pasta with your sauce and serve it hot

FAQ

What kind of pasta goes best with this sauce?

Most people like it with fettuccine, but honestly you can use any pasta you have on hand like penne or even spaghetti if thats what you prefer.

I only have salted butter, can I use that?

Sure, you can use salted butter if unsalted is not available but you might wanna ease up on additional salt later on so it doesnt get too salty.

How long does it take to make?

This recipe is pretty quick; once all your ingredients are ready, it should take about 20 minutes from start to finish.

Can I prepare this ahead of time?

Its best served fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 days and then gently reheat it, adding a splash of cream or milk if it thickens too much.

Is there a way to make it a bit lighter?

Definitely, you can try using half heavy cream and half milk. The sauce might be a little less rich but it still tastes great.

Olive Garden’s Alfredo Sauce Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If u dont have unsalted butter, u can use salted butter but u may wanna cut back on the salt later.
Instead of heavy cream, u can mix whole milk with a spoonful of melted butter or swap it out with half and half for a lighter version.
For garlic, if u dont have fresh cloves, a pinch of garlic powder (about 1/8 teaspoon per clove) should do the trick.
If Parmesan is hard to find, you can try Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano which will give a similar cheesy flavor.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure to not overcook your garlic—it only needs a minute in the butter to give off its smell, and if you let it go too long it can turn bitter, so keep a close eye on it.
2. When you’re adding that Parmesan cheese, add it slowly while stirring like you mean it so you don’t end up with clumps all over the place.
3. Keep the heat on a light simmer, not a full boil. Boiling your cream too hard can mess with the texture and might even cause it to separate.
4. Taste your sauce at the end and don’t be shy about adding a bit more salt or pepper if it needs it—seasoning is super important for balancing the flavors.