Creamy Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce – Easy 20-Minute Recipe

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Craving Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce? This Copycat Recipe Is Even Better!

If you’re craving the rich, creamy comfort of a Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce, you’re in the right place. This homemade version brings the iconic restaurant flavor straight to your kitchen—perfect for pasta night or an easy weeknight win. You probably know what I mean when I say it’s comfort food royalty. That first bite—rich, creamy, and bursting with buttery garlic flavor—lingers in memory. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve likely craved that same magic at home, without the drive-thru or reservation. This is the Alfredo sauce that brings all the cozy restaurant vibes into your kitchen.

When I first tried to replicate the Olive Garden Alfredo sauce, I expected a complicated process. What I discovered was surprisingly simple: a handful of ingredients, a whisk, and some patience. The result? A sauce that’s not just a copycat—it’s better. It’s fresh, flavorful, and incredibly customizable for your family’s favorites. Whether you serve it over fettuccine, grilled chicken, or spooned onto a slice of crusty bread, it’s going to disappear fast.

This Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce also works beautifully on white pizzas, baked casseroles, or even as a breadstick dip.

Why This Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Works

• Simple Ingredients: No mysterious powders or thickeners—just classic, real ingredients that deliver flavor.
• Quick to Make: 20 minutes from fridge to fork. It’s weeknight-friendly but weekend-worthy.
• Customizable: Add broccoli, grilled shrimp, mushrooms—this sauce plays well with almost everything.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (not the stuff in the green can)
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic or 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Alfredo Sauce Like a Pro

1. Start the base: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add heavy cream and stir to combine.
2. Add the cheese and garlic: Stir in Parmesan and garlic. Whisk continuously until smooth.
3. Simmer gently: Reduce heat and let it simmer 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally. It should thicken slightly.
4. Season to taste: Add salt and pepper to your liking. Taste as you go!

Expert Tips for the Creamiest Sauce

• Use freshly grated Parmesan: It melts better and delivers richer flavor.
• Low and slow: Keep the heat gentle to avoid curdling.
• Want it thinner? Stir in a splash of milk or reserved pasta water.

Serving Ideas for Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

• Classic Fettuccine Alfredo – Like the restaurant, but better.
• Grilled Chicken Alfredo – Serve with a sprinkle of parsley for a beautiful presentation.
• White Pizza Sauce – Slather it over dough, top with mozzarella and spinach, and bake.
• Dipping Sauce – Breadsticks + Alfredo = comfort food perfection.

FAQ

• Can I make this ahead? Yes! Store in a glass jar in the fridge and reheat gently with a splash of milk.
• Can I freeze Alfredo sauce? Technically yes, but it may separate when reheated. Stir constantly while warming to bring it back together.

A Little Alfredo Backstory

This sauce has humble beginnings. Alfredo di Lelio, an Italian restaurateur, originally created it in 1914 for his pregnant wife who had lost her appetite. Made from butter and Parmesan, it gained fame in the U.S. after Hollywood stars tasted it in Rome and brought it back to America—eventually inspiring the Olive Garden version we all know and crave today.

Hungry for More?

Explore my Pinterest board for even more easy weeknight favorites and restaurant-worthy meals. Want even more help in the kitchen? Grab my cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens. It’s packed with practical, family-friendly recipes even seasoned cooks will love!

Craving Alfredo?

Try this Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce once, and it might just become your new go-to pasta recipe.