This creamy, dreamy Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce is pure comfort in a bowl! It’s rich, velvety, and coats fettuccine perfectly for that signature restaurant-quality experience. The best part? It comes together in under 30 minutes with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients. No need for takeout!
Try our Easy Shrimp Alfredo or Blackened Chicken Alfredo next for more delicious pasta nights.
Why You’ll Love It
A little secret: sometimes, all we crave is the creamiest pasta without a ton of effort. That’s exactly what this homemade Alfredo sauce delivers!
- Better than Olive Garden! This sauce is ultra-rich, silky, and coats every strand of pasta like a dream.
- Simple pantry ingredients. No fancy ingredients—just classic staples for an authentic Alfredo.
- Versatile & family-friendly. Add chicken, shrimp, or broccoli for a complete meal!
What You’ll Need
- Fettuccine – classic for Alfredo! Any high-quality pasta works.
- Unsalted butter – the rich, buttery base of the sauce.
- Garlic – fresh minced garlic enhances the depth of flavor.
- All-purpose flour – helps achieve a smooth, creamy texture and thicken the sauce.
- Whole milk & heavy cream – the perfect combination for a rich, silky sauce.
- Parmesan cheese – freshly grated for the best melt and flavor.
- Nutmeg – enhances the creaminess with a subtle warmth.
- Fresh parsley – for a pop of freshness.
🔪How to Make Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Cook the Pasta – Boil fettuccine in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
Sauté the Garlic – Melt butter in a saucepan, add garlic, and cook until fragrant.
Make the Roux – Whisk in flour and cook until lightly golden and bubbly.
Add Cream & Milk – Pour in milk and heavy cream, whisking until smooth and slightly thickened.
Melt the Cheese & Season – Stir in Parmesan until melted, then season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Coat the Pasta – Toss fettuccine in the sauce until well coated and creamy.
Garnish & Serve – Sprinkle with parsley and enjoy while hot!
Recipe Tips
- Use freshly grated Parmesan. Pre-shredded cheese won’t melt as smoothly and can make the sauce grainy.
- Cook the sauce low and slow. Gentle heat ensures a silky, lump-free Alfredo.
- Al dente pasta works best. The fettuccine will continue to absorb the sauce, so don’t overcook it.
Substitutions and Variations
- Add protein! Grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy bacon take this dish to the next level.
- Extra garlic? Yes, please! Roasted garlic adds even more depth of flavor.
- Try a different pasta. Linguine, penne, or pappardelle all work beautifully.
- Love extra cheese? Stir in a handful of mozzarella for extra creaminess.
🍽️What to Serve with Alfredo Pasta
Pair this creamy pasta with:
- Garlic Bread – because buttery carbs make everything better.
- A crisp Caesar Salad – toss it with our homemade Caesar dressing for a restaurant-style meal.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts or Asparagus – a fresh contrast to the richness.
🗄️Leftovers & Storage
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.
- We don’t recommend freezing as dairy-based sauces tend to separate.
Now there’s no need for takeout—this Olive Garden-style Alfredo is just as good (if not better)!
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OLIVE GARDEN ALFREDO SAUCE
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound Fettuccine pasta, uncooked
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente or to your preferred texture. While the pasta cooks, start making the sauce.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté 1 minute or until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Make the Roux: Reduce the heat to low, then whisk in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. The butter and flour will bubble together, forming a smooth base for the sauce.
- Build the Sauce: Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, stirring continuously to achieve a smooth mixture. Increase the heat to medium and bring the sauce to a gentle boil. It will start to thicken as it simmers.
- Add the Cheese & Seasonings: Stir in the Parmesan cheese, whisking constantly until it melts completely into the sauce. Season with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg to taste.
- Combine with Pasta: Drain the fettuccine and immediately add it to the saucepan with the Alfredo sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated. Don’t worry if it looks like a lot of sauce—the pasta will absorb it, and the sauce will thicken as it sits.
- Finish & Serve: Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Storage & Reheating:
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of milk or cream to restore creaminess.
- Freezing not recommended as the sauce may separate.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This Olive Garden Alfredo sauce is comforting and supremely creamy.We have made this pasta several times because its perfect for any occasion and my whole family loves it!This recipe is so simple but absolutely delicious!I made sure I devoured every last drop of the sauce. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!
I love this super easy recipe! It came out perfect!
Thank you for sharing your experience! I am glad you like this copycat Alfredo sauce recipe like we do.
Excellent flavor, easy to make and definitely one to make again. My family loved it!
I am happy to hear that Emelie! We love it too!!Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, I really appreciate it! Tatiana 🙂
Very delicious! My family loves it! Definitely a delicious and easy recipe!
Hey Britnee! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, I really appreciate it! Tatiana 🙂
I’ve made this recipe dozens of times; it’s always a winner. All love it!!
Thank you, Aubrie!
It’s quick and easy to make along with a fantastic flavor. My entire family loved this sauce.
That’s great to hear Sandali! Thanks for sharing your experience!
I made this for dinner last night, and it was a huge hit!
That’s great to hear! I’m glad the recipe was a hit with your family. It’s always satisfying to know that a meal you made was enjoyed by others. Thanks for sharing your positive experience!
I made this over the weekend and everyone loved it! Such a wonderful recipe full of fresh flavors!
Wow, that’s great to hear! I’m so glad everyone enjoyed the recipe. Fresh flavors are always a crowd-pleaser. Thanks for sharing your experience with this recipe, it’s always wonderful to receive positive feedback.
Very tasty and so easy for a quick dinner, I personally added chicken fillet that I grilled with a touch of curry and ginger , it was superb 😋…Thank you 🙏 for sharing your recipe.
Thank you for your comment, Christina! I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe and found it easy to make. Adding grilled chicken fillet with a touch of curry and ginger sounds like a delicious addition. I’m so happy to hear that it turned out superb! Thank you for trying out the recipe and taking the time to share your feedback.