🧄🧈 Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Recipe

Creamy, Luxurious, and Irresistibly Cheesy

Few things in the world of comfort food compare to a silky, homemade Alfredo sauce. Inspired by the iconic Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce, this version captures all the creamy decadence and savory richness of the original—right in your own kitchen. With a few staple ingredients, you can recreate the restaurant experience in under 40 minutes!

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✨ Why This Recipe Works

Olive Garden’s Alfredo is loved for its creamy texture, deep garlic flavor, and blend of Italian cheeses. This version holds nothing back:

• ✅ Heavy cream & butter make it ultra-rich
• ✅ Romano + Parmesan deliver the classic tangy-salty flavor
• ✅ Cream cheese (optional) ensures velvety texture
• ✅ Garlic adds bold aromatic depth
• ✅ One pan, no roux—just melt and stir

It’s a crowd-pleasing, restaurant-worthy sauce perfect for cozy dinners, romantic date nights, or feeding a hungry family of four.

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🧾 Ingredients You’ll Need

⭐ For the Alfredo Sauce:

• 1/2 cup butter – Unsalted works best to control the saltiness
• 2 cups heavy cream – Full-fat for maximum silkiness
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese – Use real Parmigiano-Reggiano if possible
• 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese – Adds sharp, nutty depth
• 2 oz cream cheese (optional) – Makes the sauce even smoother and slightly tangy
• 3 cloves garlic, minced – Fresh garlic is best for bold flavor
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

🍝 For Serving:

• 1 lb fettuccine or your favorite pasta – Tagliatelle, linguine, or even penne work well

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🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
• Add 1 lb fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
• Drain the pasta and set aside. Do not rinse—it helps the sauce stick better.

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2️⃣ Start the Alfredo Sauce

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup butter.
• Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes, just until fragrant. Avoid browning or burning the garlic, as it can turn bitter.

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3️⃣ Build the Cream Base

• Pour in the 2 cups heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer.
• If using, add the 2 oz cream cheese now and stir until completely melted and incorporated.

Note: Cream cheese adds creaminess and helps stabilize the sauce so it doesn’t separate.

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4️⃣ Add the Cheeses

• Lower the heat slightly. Gradually whisk in Parmesan and Romano cheeses.
• Stir constantly until the sauce is smooth and thickened slightly—about 5–10 minutes.
• Don’t boil the sauce after adding the cheese, or it may curdle.

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5️⃣ Season and Finish

• Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper to your preference.
• For extra depth, you can add a pinch of nutmeg or white pepper.

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6️⃣ Toss and Serve

• Add the drained pasta directly into the sauce.
• Use tongs to gently toss until the noodles are evenly coated in that luscious Alfredo sauce.
• Serve hot with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, or a twist of cracked black pepper.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• 🥩 Grilled chicken or shrimp Alfredo make delicious protein-packed meals
• 🥦 Serve with roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or mushrooms
• 🍞 Add warm garlic bread or breadsticks on the side
• 🥗 Start with a light Caesar salad for a complete Olive Garden-style dinner

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🥡 Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
• Reheat gently over low heat with a splash of milk or cream to restore smoothness
• Do not freeze Alfredo sauce—cream and cheese can separate when thawed

Pro tip: Add a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick after cooling.

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