Olive Garden's Alfredo Sauce (2024)

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by Stephanie on September 10, 2019 (Updated October 7, 2020)1,059*This post may contain affiliate links. Read more »

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Make Olive Garden’s Alfredo Sauce Recipe at home in just 20 minutes! Pair it with Fettuccine for an easy dinner idea the whole family will love!

Love Olive Garden Copycat Recipes?! Try these Chicken Gnocchi orZuppa Toscana Soup recipes next!

I know it’s a restaurant chain, but honestly, Olive Garden’s Alfredo Sauce recipe is just perfect in my book. Hands-down. Chain or no chain, I love it.

(And you won’t believe how easy it is to make at home!)

PRO Tips For Making Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce:

  • Olive Garden’s Alfredo Sauce recipe is made with Parmesan and Romano Cheeses, however you can also incorporate Mozzarella, Gruyere, Gouda, or Asiago. You can alsojustuse Parmesan.
  • You can use half and half instead of half heavy cream/half milk.
  • If you only have evaporated milk, just use half the amount of milk and replace the other half with water. You won’t compromise flavor or consistency by doing this in creamy sauces like this one.
  • You can even experiment with different pastas. I like fettuccine because the noodles soak up that thick sauce well, and Tortellini Alfredo with Broccoli is delicious as well!

How to Make Alfredo Sauce

Melt the butter. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Olive Garden's Alfredo Sauce (2)

Whisk in the flour. Add heavy cream and milk. Gradually whisk in the cheese.

Olive Garden's Alfredo Sauce (3)

Add cooked Fettuccine. Sauce will continue to thicken upon standing.

Tip: I like to use 3/4 lb. of fettuccine for saucier pasta, but this recipe will satisfy a full pound as well.

Olive Garden's Alfredo Sauce (4)

Olive Garden's Alfredo Sauce (5)

Tips for Extra-Creamy Sauce

  • Use blocks of (high-quality) cheese and shred it yourself for extra creamy results. Bagged shredded cheese has cellulose added to it to prevent the cheese from sticking together in the bag. Cellulose repels moisture, which makes it melt poorly in comparison to shredding the cheese yourself.
  • Let the cheese come down to room temperature before adding it to the sauce.
  • Sprinkle in the cheese gradually, the sauce should be warm but not too hot. Otherwise the dairy will separate and the consistency will be grainy.
  • High-quality butter is important. I like Land O’ Lakes brand.

⭐Pro Tip: Alfredo sauce continues to thicken upon standing, and thickens even more when it’s added to pasta. Refrain from adding additional cheese to thicken it up.

This recipe is in The Cozy Cookbook on page 132!

Making Alfredo Sauce Ahead of Time

  • Alfredo sauce is a convenient make-ahead and freezable sauce. Unlike some other cheese sauces, the flour in this recipe helps it to maintain it’s consistency when cooled and reheated.
  • It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to3 days.
  • It can also be frozen and is best if used within 1-2months.

How to Reheat Alfredo Sauce

  • Alfredo sauce will thicken up and harden as it cools, but can be easily microwaved or slowly reheated on the stove top. Reheating in a makeshift double boiler is the best reheating method to restore it back to it’s original form. (Either by itself or when combined with pasta.)
  • Frozen Alfredo sauce should be thawed overnight in the fridge before heating.
  • If the sauce is too thick when reheated, add a splash of milk or chicken broth to thin it out.

Olive Garden's Alfredo Sauce (6)

Try These Next!

Chicken Pot Pie
Olive Garden Salad
Copycat Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Creamy Garlic Chicken
Bacon Mac and Cheese
Mushroom Chicken

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Olive Garden's Alfredo Sauce (13)

Did You Make This Recipe?

I would love for you to leave a rating and a comment below! How’d you do?! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

4.97 from 415 ratings

Servings: 6 people

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Make Olive Garden's Alfredo Sauce Recipe at home in just 20 minutes! Pair it with Fettuccine for an easy dinner idea the whole family will love!

Ingredients

  • 6 Tablespoons salted butter, high quality
  • 1 Tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk, 1% or 2% can be used if needed
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated and at room temperature
  • ½ cup Romano cheese, grated and at room temperature
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 lb. Fettuccine
  • Parsley, to garnish

Instructions

  • Boil the fettuccine according to package instructions. As the water preheats, begin the sauce.

  • Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for one minute.

  • Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously.

  • Add the heavy cream in splashes, stirring continuously. Add the milk in the same manner.

  • Bring to a gentle bubble, then reduce heat to a simmer. It will continue to thicken as it simmers.

  • Slowly stir in the cheese. Taste and season with salt/pepper if desired.

  • Drain the pasta and combine it with the sauce until well incorporated. The pasta will absorb the sauce and it will continue to thicken.

  • Garnish with parsley and serve!

Notes

Note: You may be tempted to add more cheese to thicken to sauce, but it continues to thicken upon standing and even when added to the pasta.

For Saucier Pasta:Use 3/4 lb. pasta instead of a full pound.

Pro Tips for Reheating:

  • Alfredo sauce will thicken up and harden as it cools, but can be easily microwaved or slowly reheated on the stove top. Reheating in a makeshift double boiler is the best reheating method to restore it back to it's original form.
  • Frozen Alfredo sauce should be thawed overnight in the fridge before heating.
  • If the sauce is too thick when reheated, add a splash of milk or chicken broth to thin it out.
  • Be sure to serve this with my Olive Garden Salad!

This recipe is in The Cozy Cookbook on page 132!

The nutritional information is an estimate and is per serving. There are 6 servings in this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 624kcal, Carbohydrates: 62g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 33g, Saturated Fat: 20g, Cholesterol: 153mg, Sodium: 399mg, Potassium: 357mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 925IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 347mg, Iron: 2mg

Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Author: Stephanie

30 Minute Meals Copycat Recipes Dinner Italian Meatless Olive Garden Recipes Our Favorite Recipes Pasta Popular

posted by Stephanie on September 10, 2019 — 1,059 Comments »

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1,059 comments on “Olive Garden’s Alfredo Sauce”

  1. Phil June 18, 2024 @ 8:11 pm Reply

    Perfection personified! I’ve always been a fan of certain brands of canned alfredo sauce, but this is something else entirely in terms of quality and taste.

    The instructions and explanatory introduction make this completely straightforward to make. Thank you so much for sharing!

    • Stephanie June 19, 2024 @ 7:18 am Reply

      Thanks so much Phil! I’m so happy you’re enjoying it and finding the instructions easy to follow!💕

  2. Penelope June 8, 2024 @ 5:01 pm Reply

    Very delicious! I subbed Ramano Cheese for Asiago and it was tasty. I also added chicken which really topped the dish off. So good! Use off the block cheeses, not bagged.

    • Stephanie June 8, 2024 @ 5:32 pm Reply

      I’m so glad that you enjoyed it Penelope! I love that you added chicken, I have a Chicken Alfredo Pasta recipe as well using this sauce! 🙂 Thank you so much for the review!

  3. Tracy May 24, 2024 @ 11:31 pm Reply

    I made this the other day and IT WAS EXCELLENT!!!!!! My dad had thirds!
    To quote my dad “I made a pig of myself”!
    I will definitely make this again.

    • Stephanie May 25, 2024 @ 9:06 am Reply

      hahah, I think I’d get a long with your dad 😂! I’m so happy it was such a success Tracy, thanks for the review!

Olive Garden's Alfredo Sauce (2024)

FAQs

Why does Olive Garden Alfredo taste so good? ›

As for why Olive Garden's alfredo sauce is so delicious, it likely has to do with how creamy and cheesy it is (though the added garlic certainly helps). The flavorful white sauce makes the ideal comfort food.

Is one jar of Alfredo sauce enough? ›

You'll need the same number of sauce servings as pasta servings. For example, if you made enough pasta for two people, heat enough sauce for two people. Check the nutrition label on the sauce jar to find out how much sauce is in one serving; it should be about 1/4 to 1/2 cup per person.

Is Olive Garden Alfredo sauce unlimited? ›

Never Ending Dipping Sauces for Breadsticks (V) Homemade marinara, alfredo or five cheese marinara. *CONTAIN (OR MAY CONTAIN) RAW OR UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS.

What can I add to jar Alfredo sauce to make it thicker? ›

Use Cornstarch
  1. In a bowl, whisk together equal parts of cornstarch and water—about 2 tablespoons of each for four servings of pasta and sauce.
  2. Add 2 teaspoons of the slurry to the Alfredo sauce.
  3. Bring the sauce to a boil to activate the starch, then add more slurry, 1 teaspoon at a time, as needed.
Jul 30, 2024

What makes Alfredo sauce taste better? ›

Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Parmigiano Reggiano, the name-protected Italian cheese, is a surefire way to add a umami and depth of flavor to a jarred Alfredo sauce. Freshly grate a few inches of the cheese, then whisk it right into the sauce as it's warming on the stove.

How much is a side of Alfredo sauce at Olive Garden? ›

10.99. A large side of our freshly prepared Alfredo Sauce, great for adding extra sauce to your pasta or for dipping you breadsticks.

Why do you have to use Alfredo sauce within 3 days? ›

To reduce the risk of foodborne illness, use your alfredo sauce leftovers within 3-4 days. Reheat properly. For the best tasting leftovers, follow the tips and steps in How to Reheat Alfredo Sauce so your leftovers can be just as delicious as when they were fresh! Know when to throw.

How much Alfredo sauce per person? ›

A good rule to follow for pasta servings is about 2 oz of dry pasta and 3-4 oz of sauce per person. This recipe makes enough alfredo sauce for 4 servings, so depending on how many people you are cooking for (and how hungry you are).

Why does Alfredo sauce separate when reheated? ›

And when it's heated at high temperatures, the fat separates from the rest of the cream. The fat is the oil you see and that's why your dish turns into a half oil, half cream mess when you reheat your pasta sauce in the microwave.

Does Olive Garden make all their sauces from scratch? ›

Our soup and sauce masters create dishes by hand and from scratch, every day. With fresh, whole ingredients like kale, peppers and squash. Because they know cooking that way – the Italian way- everything tastes better. to everything they make.

Are the dipping sauces at Olive Garden free refills? ›

You Can Now Get Unlimited Dipping Sauces at Olive Garden | FN Dish - Behind-the-Scenes, Food Trends, and Best Recipes : Food Network | Food Network.

How long is Olive Garden alfredo sauce good for in the fridge? ›

Alfredo sauce is a convenient make-ahead and freezable sauce. Unlike some other cheese sauces, the flour in this recipe helps it to maintain it's consistency when cooled and reheated. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen and is best if used within 1-2 months.

How do I keep my Alfredo sauce creamy? ›

Milk, heavy cream, or sour cream.

You will get a creamier texture and a bolder flavor. If you want, you can also add some romano cheese to balance the nutty taste of the other dairy ingredients. Chicken broth: another way to improve a jar of Alfredo sauce and give it a rich flavor.

Does cooking Alfredo sauce longer make it thicker? ›

What is this? If your Alfredo sauce is too thin, maybe you didn't reduce the heavy cream for long enough. Continue cooking the heavy cream until even more water evaporates and it thickens. Just make sure to do this before you add the cheese to prevent the Parmesan from clumping.

How to make an Alfredo sauce thicker without flour or cornstarch? ›

Dairy-Based Thickeners
  1. Egg Yolks. Egg yolks are a terrific thickener for many things and pasta sauce is one of them. ...
  2. Cream Cheese. Cream cheese is another method to add a creaminess to your sauce. ...
  3. Heavy Cream. ...
  4. Parmesan. ...
  5. Shredded Cheese. ...
  6. Butter. ...
  7. Plain Greek Yogurt.

Did Olive Garden change their Alfredo? ›

Olive Garden's Alfredo sauce is made daily

That's why Olive Garden hasn't changed its Alfredo sauce recipe since the restaurant first opened up shop more than 40 years ago in 1982.

Does Olive Garden fettuccine Alfredo have garlic in it? ›

Our signature alfredo sauce made fresh in-house every morning with ingredients like parmesan, cream, garlic and butter, served over fettuccine.

How do you revive Olive Garden Alfredo? ›

A good way to reheat any pasta is in a 10 inch skillet with a lid and some milk or cream in your case, or even just a bit of water to creates steam which heats the pasta . so medium high heat until pan is warm, put in your leftover pasta and liquid of choice, about 2 tablespoons should do it.

Why is Alfredo healthy? ›

Is Alfredo sauce good for you? Classic Alfredo sauce recipes are not considered healthy since they typically include lots of butter, heavy cream, and cheese, making them high in calories and fat. However, this version lightens things up by using light cream cheese and skim milk, making it a healthier option!

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