Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
This easy Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Recipe is made with butter, fresh garlic, heavy cream, Parmesan, and Romano cheese for a rich, smooth, restaurant-style sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, it's perfect for fettuccine Alfredo, chicken Alfredo, shrimp Alfredo, or dipping homemade breadsticks.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic finely minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Romano cheese
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- Pinch of nutmeg optional
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Slowly add heavy cream, followed by whole milk, whisking until smooth.
- Cook over medium-low heat for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken, without boiling rapidly.
- Reduce heat to low or remove from the burner. Gradually whisk in Parmesan and Romano until melted and smooth.
- Season with black pepper, salt, and optional nutmeg. Taste and adjust.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately over cooked pasta, or use as a dipping sauce.
Notes
Recipe Notes
-
Freshly grated cheese melts best.
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Keep the heat low after adding cheese.
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Thin with warm milk or pasta water if needed.
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Store refrigerated in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
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For a gluten-free version, omit flour and reduce milk to ½ cup.
Estimated Nutrition Per Serving
Serving Size: ½ cup
Servings: 8
Calories: 480 kcal
Total Fat: 44 g
Saturated Fat: 27 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 135 mg
Sodium: 450 mg
Total Carbohydrates: 6 g
Dietary Fiber: 0 g
Total Sugars: 3 g
Protein: 15 g