Total Time: 15 minutes
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Introduction
Indulge in a heavenly, home-cooked meal with our copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce recipe. Perfect for pasta dishes, this homemade Alfredo sauce is both creamy and flavorful – the ideal complement to your favorite Italian dishes.
Why Make This Recipe
Who doesn’t love the rich and creamy Alfredo sauce at Olive Garden? Now, in less than 20 minutes and with just a few ingredients, you can recreate this iconic Olive Garden dish in the comfort of your own kitchen.
How to Make Creamy Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
Ingredients:
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– Salt to taste
– Black pepper to taste
– A pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Directions:
1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.
2. Sauté minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in the heavy cream and let the mixture simmer gently. Be careful not to let it boil.
4. Whisk in the Parmesan cheese gradually until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
5. Add salt, black pepper, and optionally, a pinch of nutmeg.
6. Simmer for a few more minutes until slightly thickened.
7. Pour over your favorite cooked pasta and indulge!
How to Serve Creamy Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
Serve this Alfredo sauce piping hot over your favorite cooked pasta variety, be it fettuccine, spaghetti, or rigatoni. Complete the dish with a sprinkle of additional parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh parsley.
How to Store Creamy Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
Store leftover Alfredo sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate. It should last up to 3 days. When ready to use, reheat it over medium heat, adding a little milk if necessary to restore creaminess.
Tips to Make Creamy Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
1. Always use freshly grated Parmesan for the creamiest sauce.
2. Never let the sauce boil, as this could cause the cheese to separate and become grainy.
3. Feel free to adjust the garlic to suit your taste.
Variation
To spice things up a bit, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to your Alfredo sauce. Or, for a more robust flavor, sauté some sliced mushrooms before adding the garlic and cream.
FAQs
1. Can I use pre-grated parmesan cheese?
While pre-grated cheese can be used, it may not melt as smoothly and can cause the sauce to be grainy. For the best results, always use freshly grated parmesan.
2. Can I use milk instead of heavy cream for this recipe?
While you can use milk, heavy cream gives the Alfredo sauce its rich and creamy flavor. If you use milk, your sauce will be lighter with a less creamy texture.
3. Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can make Alfredo sauce ahead of time. Simply reheat it over medium heat, adding a little milk if necessary to restore its creamy consistency.