Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce (2024)

This is a copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo recipe that’s rich, creamy, garlicky, and full of Parmesan cheese. Serve over fettuccine and grilled chicken. It’s easy to prepare any night of the week.

Are you ready for an easy and cheesy homemade Alfredo sauce the whole family will love? It’s so simple to make and an easy dinner idea during the weeknight. This copycat Olive Garden Alfredo sauce recipe is pretty close to the real deal.

I’ve been making this recipe for over 10 years because it’s a big family favorite and sometimes I like to change it up by adding in Romano or Asiago cheese as well.

Traditionally, Alfredo sauce is made with only Parmesan and butter. However, Olive Garden’s Alfredo sauce recipe is a rich and creamy blend of butter, heavy cream, and fresh Parmesan cheese, creating a velvety texture and indulgent flavor.

There are so many yummy Olive Garden copycat recipes out there likeair fryer stuffed ziti fritta,five-cheese fonduta dip,lasagna frittas, and their truly addicting never-endingbreadsticks(which are perfect for dipping into creamy sauces like the five-cheese fonduta!)

Ingredients for Olive Garden’s Alfredo Sauce

• Heavy Whipping Cream
• Butter
• Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Garlic Salt
• Parsley, optional for topping
• Fettuccine
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, optional

How to Make Olive Garden’s Alfredo Sauce

Sauce

• In a medium saucepan, melt butter. Over medium heat, whisk in heavy cream, and Parmesan and Romano cheese.

• Continuously stir until the cheese is melted and incorporated into the cream and begins to thicken. Stir in garlic salt.

Fettuccine

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once hot, add fettuccine. Cook pasta according to package directions, typically about 9 minutes for al dente.

Chicken

Grilled

• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
• Once hot, add chicken breasts to the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until no longer pink in the center. Slice into strips.

Stove-Top

• Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps achieve a better sear.
• Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper or any other preferred seasonings.
• Place a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Allow it to heat up for a minute or two.
• Once the pan is hot, add a tablespoon of olive oil or your preferred cooking oil. Swirl the oil to coat the bottom of the pan evenly.
• Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the hot pan. Cook for 6-7 minutes on one side without moving them. This allows a nice golden sear to develop.
• Carefully flip the chicken breasts using tongs. Cook for an additional 6-7 minutes on the other side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Place the chicken on a cutting board and slice into strips.

Serve

Add a layer of fettuccine pasta to a bowl and ladle the Alfredo sauce on top. Add several strips of chicken, fresh grated Parmesan, and fresh parsley.

Substitutes

Cheese:Next time, try adding Asiago cheese. it’s a great addition to this Alfredo sauce. Add equal parts of Parmesan, Romano, and Asiago to equal 1.5 cups total.

Garlic Salt:No garlic salt? Add ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon garlic powder or 1 clove of minced fresh garlic.

Keto:There are times I do the keto diet and make this Alfredo sauce to top it on some grilled chicken breast strips.

It’s a great alternative for dinner without the carbs, but keeping up your moderate protein and high fat is needed to maintain the keto lifestyle.

A delicious replacement for the noodles would bezucchini noodlesor2-ingredient cheese noodles.

Side Dishes

Fettuccine Alfredo is a rich and creamy pasta dish, and pairing it with the right sides can create a well-balanced and satisfying meal. Here are some delicious side dish options:

• Green Vegetable Medley:Sauteed or steamed vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or green beans add a burst of color and freshness. The crispness of the vegetables complements the creamy pasta.
• Caesar Salad:A classic Caesar salad with crisp romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and a tangy Caesar dressing is a great side for Fettuccine Alfredo. The contrast of textures and flavors works well.
• Caprese Salad:Sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze make a refreshing and light side dish that pairs nicely with the richness of Alfredo sauce.
• Garlic Bread orOlive Garden Breadsticks:Crusty garlic bread or soft breadsticks are perfect for sopping up the Alfredo sauce. The combination of garlic and bread complements the pasta beautifully.
• Roasted Mushrooms:Roasted mushrooms, seasoned with garlic and herbs, add an earthy flavor that complements the creamy pasta dish.
• Artichoke Hearts:Marinated or grilled artichoke hearts bring a tangy and slightly briny element to the meal, balancing the richness of the Alfredo sauce.
• Tomato Basil Bruschetta:A simple tomato and basil bruschetta can be a vibrant and flavorful side. Spoon it over toasted baguette slices or serve it on its own.

What To Do if Your Sauce Breaks

If your cheese sauce has broken, meaning it has separated into a grainy or the oil/butter separates, you can try to fix it using the following methods. Be sure to taste the sauce afterward. You may need to add more garlic salt for taste if you’ve added more ingredients to the sauce.

• Stirring and Heat:
  • Place the broken cheese sauce back on low heat.
  • Stir continuously with a whisk to encourage the fat and liquid components to re-emulsify.
• Add Milk or Cream:
  • Gradually add a small amount of liquid such as milk, cream, or water while stirring.
• Add More Cheese:
  • Gradually add more Parmesan or Romano cheese to the sauce, stirring continuously.
  • The additional cheese can help bind the sauce back together.
• Strain and Blend:
  • Strain the broken sauce to remove any lumps or separated components.
  • Transfer the strained sauce to a blender or use an immersion blender and blend until smooth. This can help emulsify the sauce again.
• Temperature Adjustment:
  • If the sauce breaks due to high heat, allow it to cool slightly before attempting to fix it.
  • Slowly reheat the sauce on low heat, stirring constantly.
• Use Cornstarch or Flour (Use as a last resort for this homemade sauce):
  • Create a slurry by mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch or flour with an equal amount of cold water.
  • Slowly whisk the slurry into the broken cheese sauce on low heat. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens and regains a smooth texture.
  • Use this as a last resort because it can alter the flavor and overallconsistency of the sauce.

Storage

The USDA recommends that cooked pasta dishes with cream-based sauces, such as leftover Alfredo sauce, should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container and consumed within 3 to 4 days.

Reheating

Stovetop

1. Transfer the Alfredo sauce to a saucepan.
2. Heat the sauce over low to medium heat. Stir continuously to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
3. If the sauce appears too thick, you can add a splash of milk or cream to achieve the desired consistency. This will help maintain the creamy texture without it breaking.
4. Continue heating and stirring until the Alfredo sauce is thoroughly warmed. Be cautious not to overheat or bring it to a boil, as this can cause the sauce to separate.

Recommended Pasta Recipes

• Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
• Chicken Marsala
• Five-Cheese Lasagna Fritta
• Marsala Wine Sauce with Mushrooms

Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

This is a copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo recipe that's rich, creamy, garlicky, and full of Parmesan cheese. Serve over fettuccine and grilled chicken. It's easy to prepare any night of the week.

5 from 1 vote

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See Also

Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Recipe

Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 Servings

Author: Tiffany

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons Butter
• ¾ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• ¾ cup Grated Romano Cheese
• 1 pint Heavy Whipping Cream
• ½ teaspoon Garlic Salt
• Parsley, for topping

Optional – Grilled Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

• 16 ounces Fettuccine
• 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

Instructions

Alfredo Sauce

• In a saucepan, melt butter. Over medium heat, whisk in heavy cream, and all cheese. Continue stirring until cheese is melted and begins to thicken. Stir in garlic salt.

• Serve sauce with fettuccine noodles, zucchini noodles, lasagna rolls, or breadsticks.

Grilled Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

• Boil 8 cups of water in a pot and add fettuccine noodles. Cook until al dente, according to directions on the box, and drain.

• Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Add chicken breasts to grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until no longer pink in the center. Slice into strips.

• Spoon fettuccine sauce over pasta, add chicken strips and sprinkle with parsley and grated Parmesan.

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Nutrition

Calories: 737 kcalCarbohydrates: 57 gProtein: 26 gFat: 45 gSaturated Fat: 27 gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3 gMonounsaturated Fat: 12 gTrans Fat: 1 gCholesterol: 212 mgSodium: 608 mgPotassium: 416 mgFiber: 2 gSugar: 4 gVitamin A: 1535 IUVitamin C: 1 mgCalcium: 240 mgIron: 2 mg

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