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The Ultimate 20-Minute Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

A fork lifts fettuccine noodles coated in creamy olive garden alfredo sauce, showing a dramatic cheese pull.
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You can make this rich, creamy Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce at home in just 20 minutes. It tastes just like the restaurant version and is perfect for fettuccine or dipping breadsticks.

Ingredients

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  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  3. Pour in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Do not let it boil rapidly.
  4. Reduce the heat to low. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese, a little at a time, until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
  5. Stir in the salt, pepper, and nutmeg, if using. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed.
  6. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon of reserved pasta water (if you cooked pasta) to thin it slightly.
  7. Serve immediately over your favorite pasta, like fettuccine, or use it as a dip for breadsticks.

Notes

  • For the best texture, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
  • If you are serving this with pasta, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water before draining. You can use this water to thin the sauce to your preferred consistency.
  • This sauce is excellent when used as a base for chicken or shrimp Alfredo.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/olive-garden-alfredo-sauce-recipe/