Description
This Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce is a creamy, cheesy, restaurant-style pasta sauce you can make at home in about 20 minutes. It is perfect for an easy dinner, quick pasta night, cozy family meal, or simple food idea when you want something rich, comforting, and homemade without extra fuss.
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 cups heavy cream
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 pinch ground nutmeg, optional
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional
1 pound cooked fettuccine or pasta of choice
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds, stirring often, until fragrant.
4. Pour in the heavy cream and add the softened cream cheese, then whisk until smooth and warm.
5. Reduce the heat to low and add the Parmesan cheese and Italian cheese blend a little at a time, whisking until melted.
6. Season with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg if using.
7. Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen it.
8. Serve immediately with parsley, extra Parmesan, and more black pepper if desired.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the smoothest sauce because pre-shredded cheese can make Alfredo grainy.
Keep the heat low once the cheese is added so the sauce stays creamy and does not separate.
Alfredo sauce thickens as it cools, so loosen leftovers with a splash of milk, cream, or pasta water when reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: copycat Olive Garden Alfredo sauce, homemade Alfredo sauce, easy dinner, quick pasta night, creamy pasta sauce, fettuccine Alfredo, restaurant style Alfredo