Description
Olive Garden’s creamy alfredo sauce recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor directly to home kitchens. Cheese, butter, and heavy cream combine for an indulgent pasta companion that delights diners seeking classic Italian-American comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pint (473 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (240 ml) fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 stick (113 grams) butter
Pasta:
- 1 package pasta (penne recommended)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cream cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside, reserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
- Select a medium saucepan and melt butter over medium heat, introducing finely chopped garlic and sautéing for approximately 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Pour heavy cream into the butter-garlic mixture, then incorporate cream cheese, whisking gently to create a smooth consistency. Increase heat to medium-high and allow the mixture to simmer, stirring consistently to prevent scorching.
- Gradually introduce grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until completely melted and the sauce transforms into a silky, uniform texture. If the sauce appears too thick, carefully integrate small amounts of reserved pasta water.
- Season the Alfredo sauce with salt and white pepper, tasting and adjusting seasoning to achieve a balanced flavor profile.
- Transfer the hot pasta directly into the sauce, tossing thoroughly to ensure each strand is elegantly coated with the creamy Parmesan mixture.
- Plate immediately while the sauce remains warm and glossy, presenting a restaurant-quality dish reminiscent of Olive Garden’s signature Alfredo preparation.
Notes
- Choose pasta with ridges or curves to help the creamy sauce cling better, maximizing flavor in every bite.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and butter for smoother, faster melting without lumps.
- Grate fresh Parmesan cheese instead of pre-shredded for richer, more authentic taste and better melting texture.
- Reduce carbs by substituting pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a lighter, low-carb version of the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg