Creamy Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Recipe Easy Homemade Copycat Sauce
A rich and creamy Alfredo sauce inspired by Olive Garden, made with butter, fresh garlic, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: About 4 servings (1/4 cup sauce per serving) 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (full-fat recommended)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano recommended)
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
- A pinch of nutmeg
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until just melted and shimmering, avoiding browning.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
- Sprinkle in nutmeg, Italian seasoning (if using), salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
- Adjust the sauce consistency by adding a splash of cream or milk if too thick, or simmer a little longer if too thin.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve immediately over freshly cooked pasta or as a drizzle over chicken or vegetables.
Notes
Use fresh garlic and freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and texture. Add cheese slowly to avoid clumping. Keep heat moderate to prevent sauce from breaking. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup (60 ml) sauc
- Calories: 180
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 1.5
- Protein: 6
Keywords: Alfredo sauce, Olive Garden copycat, creamy sauce, homemade Alfredo, Parmesan sauce, garlic sauce, easy sauce recipe