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Authentic Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce: Creamy, Quick, and Restaurant-Quality at Home

A close-up of fettuccine pasta generously coated in creamy Olive Garden Alfredo sauce, topped with black pepper and parsley.
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You can create the rich, velvety Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce right in your kitchen. This recipe focuses on achieving that signature restaurant texture that clings to pasta, avoiding sauce that pools or becomes stiff. It is quick to make, perfect for your next pasta night.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese (use good quality for best flavor)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon cream cheese (optional, for extra gloss and stability)

Instructions

  1. Place the butter in a wide sauté pan over medium heat. Allow the butter to melt completely.
  2. Add the heavy cream to the melted butter. Whisk the mixture constantly until it just begins to simmer lightly around the edges. Do not let it boil rapidly.
  3. Reduce the heat to low. Whisk in the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. If you are using the cream cheese hack for a glossier finish, add it now and whisk until it dissolves smoothly into the cream mixture.
  4. Remove the pan from the heat. Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a handful at a time, whisking continuously until the cheese is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth.
  5. If the sauce seems too thick, whisk in a tablespoon or two of reserved hot pasta water until you reach your desired consistency. If it is too thin, return it to very low heat and whisk in a little more Parmesan.
  6. Serve immediately over hot fettuccine or use as a dip for breadsticks.

Notes

  • For the best texture that truly clings to your pasta, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
  • If you are making Chicken Alfredo, toss the cooked fettuccine with the sauce before adding the chicken to ensure every strand is coated.
  • This recipe is excellent for dipping breadsticks; for dipping, you may want to keep the sauce slightly thicker than you would for coating pasta.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenican.com/olive-garden-alfredo-sauce/