Description
This Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce recipe delivers a rich, creamy, and authentic Italian-American sauce perfect for coating fettuccine pasta. Made with butter, garlic, a roux base, heavy cream, milk, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, this sauce offers a velvety texture and indulgent flavor. Ideal for a comforting homemade pasta dinner, it’s garnished with fresh parsley to add a touch of color and freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 oz grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 8 oz dry fettuccine pasta (typical quantity for 4 servings)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic Butter: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat in a saucepan. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, making sure the garlic does not burn to preserve its delicate flavor.
- Make the Roux: Whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour into the melted butter and garlic mixture. Stir continuously to form a roux and cook for about one minute to eliminate the raw flour taste while creating a thickening base for the sauce.
- Add Cream and Milk: Gradually whisk in 2 cups of heavy cream and 1 cup of whole milk into the roux. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and bubbles, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate Parmesan Cheese: Stir in 4 ounces of grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to cook on low heat, stirring until the cheese is fully melted, producing a smooth and creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook Fettuccine: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the fettuccine pasta until al dente, typically 10-12 minutes. Drain well.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained fettuccine directly into the sauce and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all the pasta evenly with the creamy Alfredo sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the pasta for a pop of color and fresh herbal note. Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Be careful not to burn the garlic while sautéing to maintain a fresh flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best melting and sauce texture.
- The sauce thickens as it simmers; adjust heat to avoid boiling vigorously.
- To keep pasta creamy, toss the pasta in sauce right after draining before it cools.
- Feel free to adjust salt and pepper according to personal preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce, Alfredo pasta sauce, creamy Alfredo recipe, homemade Alfredo, fettuccine Alfredo, garlic butter sauce
