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Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce: Velvety White Pasta Sauce in 20 Minutes

A close-up of fettuccine pasta generously coated in creamy Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce and sprinkled with herbs.
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Recreate the creamy, rich texture and authentic flavor of Olive Garden’s famous Alfredo sauce right in your kitchen. This easy recipe delivers a restaurant-style, velvety white pasta sauce that clings perfectly to fettuccine.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1½ cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup freshly grated Romano cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon cream cheese (optional, for extra gloss)
  • ½ cup reserved pasta water (for thinning)

Instructions

  1. Cook your fettuccine pasta according to package directions. Before draining, reserve at least ½ cup of the starchy pasta water. Set the pasta aside.
  2. In a wide sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for about one minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  3. Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low.
  4. Whisk in the cream cheese, if using, until it melts completely into the cream mixture.
  5. Gradually add the grated Parmesan and Romano cheeses, whisking constantly until the cheese is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth. Keep the heat low to prevent the cheese from clumping.
  6. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  7. If the sauce is too thick, slowly whisk in the reserved hot pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach a silky, pourable consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
  8. Add the cooked fettuccine directly to the pan with the sauce. Toss gently to coat every noodle evenly. Serve immediately for the best texture.

Notes

  • For a truly restaurant-quality cling, always finish the pasta directly in the sauce and use a splash of the starchy pasta water to emulsify and thin the sauce perfectly.
  • This sauce is excellent when paired with grilled chicken breast or sautéed shrimp for a Chicken Alfredo Sauce Recipe.
  • Use only freshly grated Parmesan cheese; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent the sauce from becoming smooth.

Nutrition

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