This Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce recipe is a fast and easy dinner, and proof that homemade is better than going out! This recipe is made with cream cheese for an extra creamy result.
Whether you use it to top chicken breasts or simply to make fettuccine alfredo, this easy Alfredo Sauce recipe is the best! It makes for a quick and easy meal for any night of the week.
I distinctly remember making this alfredo sauce recipe in a massive batch for a group of guys/girls/myself around 3:30 am.
During my senior year in college, when I had started dating my husband and therefore taking a vested interest in cooking, I quickly gained a reputation among my husband’s roommates and friends. It was “The Girl Who Cooks at 4 am When The Bars Close.”
Let me assure you that this easy alfredo sauce tastes even more amazing when made in the middle of the night after you’ve been out. It also ushers in the need to immediately sleep.
The alfredo sauce is arguably the best reason to to go Olive Garden, period. Dipping those garlicky, salty breadsticks in a dish of it….. Wow, look at that, my whole mouth just started watering.
Quick side story about Alfredo: Dave and I could not agree on a boys name before J was born. Actually, he didn’t even have a name for the first two hours he was in this world, because we still couldn’t agree.
Finally, I just said to David, “You know what? Any is fine. Just pick one. I’m SO tired…”
Dave’s dad was always kidding with us about how when Dave was a teenager, he kept complaining about his “boring” name and how his name wasn’t even “Italian enough.”
Evidently he wanted to be named Giovanni or something like that, so because we are SO funny, we told everyone that we decided on the name Alfredo- and that was what we called him for the rest of my pregnancy.
Like I said, we are SO funny.
Notes on this alfredo sauce recipe:
This homemade alfredo sauce is made with a little bit of cream cheese, which may sound strange (and no, not authentically Italian), but it’s really responsible for the extra creaminess that you get in the sauce. There’s always a Monday morning quarterback in the comments here or on Pinterest telling me that they used to work at Olive Garden and they don’t use cream cheese.
It’s only supposed to taste like Olive Garden, not be made just like they do. I feel I need to stipulate that.
Can you make Alfredo sauce without heavy cream?
I used to make this with a combination of heavy cream and fat free half and half. While I am sure that it does majorly slash the calories, I have gotten away from it in recent years and just use heavy cream now.
You definitely still CAN sub half the cream for fat free half and half (or even regular half and half). The result is definitely less rich and a little thinner, if that sounds like more of what you’re going for.
Honestly, this Alfredo sauce is good either way. I mean, its Alfredo sauce. You really can’t go wrong.
What can you add?
Man, just about anything!! It’s so versatile. When I used to make this once a week, I liked to use it with whatever I had in the fridge:
- grilled chicken
- spinach
- asparagus
- mushrooms
- prosciutto
- broccoli
- shrimp
The possibilities are endless! I use it in my Chicken and Spinach Manicotti and my Million Dollar Lasagna too!
How to make Alfredo Sauce?
It’s a breeze. Just look at the video! Traditionally, it’s made with butter, cream and parmesan, although there are about a million Here’s the equipment that you’ll need:
- [easyazon_link identifier=”B000E5BIDE” locale=”US” tag=”gogogogo03-20″]Saucepan[/easyazon_link] and [easyazon_link identifier=”B00MHNZ85U” locale=”US” tag=”gogogogo03-20″]whisk[/easyazon_link].
- If you’d really like some extra credit, try making your own pasta. I use my [easyazon_link identifier=”B00005UP2P” locale=”US” tag=”gogogogo03-20″]Kitchenaid Mixer[/easyazon_link] and [easyazon_link identifier=”B01DBGQR1K” locale=”US” tag=”gogogogo03-20″]pasta cutters[/easyazon_link] to make fresh fettuccine. Totally worth the effort!
If you liked this recipe for alfredo sauce, check out these other pasta recipes:
- Creamy Instant Pot Pasta with Chicken and Mushrooms
- Chicken and Spinach Manicotti
- Loaded Tortellini Alfredo
- Four Cheese Sauce
- Mushroom Ravioli with Sherried Mushrooms, Chicken, Peas and Four Cheese Sauce
- One Pot Pasta with Shrimp, Sausage and Vodka Sauce
- Spinach Artichoke Dip One Pot Pasta
- Instant Pot Beef Stew Pasta
Check out these other Olive Garden copycats:
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Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 T butter
- 2 T cream cheese
- 3/4 cup half and half
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- fresh ground pepper
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, cream cheese, half and half and cream together
- Whisk in the garlic powder and parmesan. Season with a small amount of freshly ground black pepper.
- Simmer, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency. Serve immediately.
Melissia says
By T you mean tablespoon right?
Jacqueline says
Yes!
Theresa says
I made this and can’t beat how easy..my husband is hooked. Will never buy jar sauce again.thank you
Michelle says
how many servings does this recipe make?
Jacqueline says
I would say it makes enough sauce for 3-4 servings of pasta, depending on how “saucy” you like it. This is usually how much I make for my husband, toddler and myself. Anything more than that, I’d suggest doubling it.
casey says
can you use heavy whipping cream?
Jacqueline says
Absolutely!
Jillian says
Any suggestions for Olive Garden-esque breadsticks to accompany this sauce?
Jacqueline says
I don’t have one for homemade, although I’m sure I can get one if you’re looking for that. I actually really like the New York brand frozen breadsticks- I wrap them in foil for most of the baking time to keep them soft, then sprinkle them with a little garlic salt after they come out of the oven and think they are a pretty close substitute. 🙂
Michelle says
In the frozen garlic bread section of your grocery store ‘New York Bakery’ has similar ones.
Jacqueline says
Those are the ones I buy!!
Emily W. says
Just made the sauce and it turned out fantastic! Very quick and easy. I made it for my 3 roommates and I and even had extra (we were stuffed!).
I added some basil and oregano seasoning for taste and made it very tasty and flavorful.
Thanks for the recipe Jacqueline!
Jacqueline says
You’re so welcome Emily! Glad you guys loved it 🙂
Jennyfer says
I am sure this tastes amazing, but I need to correct the recipe. I worked at the Olive Garden for 6 years and I can assure you that it does NOT have cream cheese or 1/2 & 1/2 in it.
Robin says
Of course she was going for taste, not the exact recipe, come on. I put cream cheese in mine as well and it’s fantastic. Although I don’t really go by a recipe, I just throw those same ingredients in, till it looks and tastes right to me 🙂 Just went to Olive Garden yesterday actually, and the whole time I was thinking, I’m spending $17+ for a plate and I can make this AT HOME, lol. Thanks for the simple recipe 🙂
Millie Singleton says
She says plain as day that this is not an exact replica of Olive Garden’s recipe because she knows they don’t use cream cheese, it is just suppose to Taste like Olive Garden’s.
Jacqueline says
Millie, you’re the MVP.
Jo says
I don’t have half & half on hand can i sub for anything else? Milk maybe?
Jacqueline says
Do you have any cream? That would be my next suggestion, and what I’ve started to use in this recipe mostly, actually. I’d be fearful that you MIGHT end up with a somewhat grainy sauce with milk. You could try it, maybe increasing the amount of cream cheese as well?
nise says
I have heavy cream but no half&half. any recommendations on a substitute ?
Jacqueline says
I would just use all heavy cream. That’s what I have actually started to do lately 🙂
Sally @ Real Mom Nutrition says
Looks delicious! I know my kids and husband would love this recipe.
Diane says
Yummy nummy! I love the video and this recipe!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Looks great!
Elizabeth says
This recipe looks great! And I love the gif!
Nellie says
This looks so easy to make- I can’t wait to try!
Terry says
I donot have fresh parm cheese,what can i use as a sub?
Jacqueline says
Do you have the already grated parm cheese? Or none at all? I would really recommend just waiting until you can get to the store next. 🙂
Brooke says
I’m gonna make this tonight for me and my husband, but I wanted to add some chicken and I’m definitely a beginner at this whole “cooking” thing! Haha would I need to cook the in a separate pan while I’m making the sauce or do you think I could do them together somehow? Thanks 🙂
Jacqueline says
I would probably cook the chicken separately. Rotisserie chicken shines here! You can check out the Loaded Alfredo recipe and the Chicken Spinach Manicotti for other ideas. I hope you like it (but I know you will!)!
Amanda says
I made this for dinner tonight and it was AMAZING! My whole family loved it!
Lydia says
I only have shredded Parmesean that you buy in a bag? Can I use that?
Lydia says
What if I only have shredded Parmesean frm the bag?
Susan Hopkins says
I will have to try this. Looks so yummy! And my side note: to close people down who had name ideas for our soon to be born daughter, we told them we already had the name. Elvira Margarita. No body would mess with a girl with a name like that!
Jacqueline says
This made me chuckle, thanks for the laugh!
Holly says
Do you measure the Parmesan like you would flour? Or do you pack it in like you’d do with brown sugar?
Jacqueline says
You’d measure it much more like flour than packed brown sugar. Just scoop or pour into your measuring cup 🙂
Lisa says
Just made this and it is super tasty! My new go to Alfredo!