Whip up this restaurant-worthy Fettuccine Alfredo in just 30 minutes for a delicious meal that’s faster than takeout.
It serves six and costs about $8.22 to make. That’s just around $1.37 per serving!
Table of Contents
What You’ll Love About This Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe:
- Cost-Effective: You can make this recipe for a family of 6 for less than you’d spend on one order of fettuccine alfredo at Olive Garden!
- Quick and Easy: Skip the hassle! This creamy Fettuccine Alfredo is ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for a delicious and stress-free meal at home.
- Restaurant Quality: This copycat recipe is the real deal! Impress your friends and family when you make this dish for them; they’ll think you ordered take-out!
Olive Garden Alfredo Recipe ingredients & Estimated Cost
- 16-ounce package fettuccine – $1.99
- 5 Tablespoons salted butter – $0.70
- 2 large garlic cloves – $0.14
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream – $3.50
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper – $0.01
- 2/3 cup parmesan cheese – $1.17
- 2/3 cup mozzarella cheese – $0.71
The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in April 2024.
How To Make Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo
- Cook the fettuccine according to package instructions.
- Then, melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Whisk in whipping cream and pepper. Bring to a simmer and stir occasionally.
- Add cheeses and stir until melted and the sauce thickens.
- Toss the cooked fettuccine with the Alfredo sauce and serve immediately.
***For complete recipe instructions and a recipe video, see the recipe card below.
Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe variations & substitutions
- For a classic chicken alfredo, add cooked chicken to the finished dish. You can use grilled, baked, or shredded chicken.
- We recently adapted this recipe by boiling fun-shaped pasta and adding leftover chopped ham and steamed peas to the alfredo sauce, and our family loved it!
Best fettuccine Alfredo Recipe storage & serving tips
Serve: Like most dairy-based dishes, this Fettuccine Alfredo is best enjoyed fresh. For safety reasons, avoid leaving leftovers out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Store: For best results, store the alfredo sauce and cooked pasta separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. If reheated with the pasta, the sauce can become grainy. When reheating, focus on low and slow heat to prevent the sauce from breaking.
Freeze: Freezing can alter the texture and mouthfeel of the dish, so we do not recommend freezing this dish.
Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe Easy FAQs
What can I add to store-bought Alfredo sauce?
For a quick weeknight meal, store-bought Alfredo sauce can be a lifesaver. But here’s how to doctor it up for a more flavorful, restaurant-inspired taste:
- Add fresh garlic: Saute 2 teaspoons of minced garlic in butter or olive oil before adding the jarred sauce for a fragrant boost.
- Herb it up: Sprinkle in a pinch of dried basil for a touch of Italian flair.
- Season to perfection: Don’t forget to adjust the salt and pepper to your taste.
- Make a new recipe: You can also make our Tomato Chicken Alfredo with store-bought alfredo sauce.
What side dishes go with Fettuccine Alfredo?
- Veggies: Enhance the meal with vibrant green vegetables! Fettuccine Alfredo pairs beautifully with dishes like our Fresh Green Beans Almondine.
- Salads: For a refreshing touch, add a classic Caesar Salad or a simple side of steamed broccoli or asparagus.
- Bread: Indulge in the creamy sauce with our Easy Garlic Bread recipe. It’s the perfect way to soak up every delicious bite!
Is Fettuccine Alfredo healthy?
While Fettuccine Alfredo isn’t our lightest dish (and maybe that’s why it’s so irresistible!), it does offer a balance of nutrients. You’ll find carbohydrates for energy, fiber for digestion, protein for building muscles, and even some minerals.
However, it’s important to note that it’s also higher in saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol.
Here’s how our team enjoys it:
- Jess: Fuels up with a pre-race carb load before a long run.
- Beth: Practices moderation and savors the flavor without overdoing it.
- Jill: Enjoys it as a special treat.
The key is to find a way to fit it into your diet that works for you!
Is fettuccine alfredo just carbonara?
Alfredo sauce is defined by simplicity. It features just a few key ingredients, like butter and heavy cream, creating a rich and smooth base for your pasta. Carbonara is a step up in complexity and boasts a more robust flavor profile. Think savory pancetta or cured pork with onion, garlic, eggs, and parmesan cheese.
What is the secret to thick alfredo sauce?
For a thicker sauce, try whisking in some shredded mozzarella cheese a bit at a time. The cheese will melt and help thicken the sauce without overpowering the flavor. Stop adding cheese once you reach your desired consistency.
Get Kids Involved in making this Olive Garden Alfredo Recipe
Ages 2-3: Turn them into tiny helpers! They can help gather all the tools we need, like the pot, sauce, pan, and whisk. This is a great way to get them involved and begin teaching them about kitchen utensils and where they belong in the kitchen.
Ages 4-5: Give them a safe way to break the noodles! Let them snap the fettuccine noodles into smaller pieces before adding them to the pot of boiling water. Remember, safety comes first! Put oven mitts on their hands to keep them protected from splashes.
Ages 6-8: Level up their skills! Let them take charge of cooking and stirring the fettuccine noodles in the pot. They can also help you add ingredients to the sauce and stir it all together.
Ages 9-11: Time to be a recipe reader! Have them read the recipe with you twice before you begin. Then, supervise them closely as they prepare most of the recipe themselves.
Ages 12+: They’ve graduated to solo cooking! Now you can relax and do a happy dance in the corner while they impress you with their Fettuccine Alfredo skills. Just be sure to keep an eye on them for safety.
Budget Tips
Did you know you can whip up this delicious Fettuccine Alfredo for your whole family and save money compared to ordering it at The Olive Garden? It’s true! Making it at home allows you to stretch your grocery budget further, leaving more room for fun activities or other treats.
More from Easy Budget Recipes
Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe (Easy)
Recipe Cost 8.22 Serving Cost 1.37Equipment
- large colander
- large pot
- large saucepan
- Liquid measuring cup
- measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 16 ounce package fettuccine
- 5 Tablespoons salted butter
- 2 large garlic cloves minced
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ¼ teaspoon ground black or white pepper
- ⅔ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅔ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
COOK FETTUCCINE:
- Cook the fettuccine as per the package instructions and drain.
MAKE ALFREDO SAUCE:
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add garlic and cook and stir constantly until the garlic is fragrant about 30-60 seconds.
- Add in whipping cream and pepper and bring the mixture to a bubble (NOT a boil). Once bubbling, reduce the heat to simmer and simmer while stirring often until the mixture has thickened. This will take about 5 minutes.
- Add in the Parmesan and mozzarella cheese and continue to cook and stirring occasionally until the sauce has thickened. This will take about 5-10 minutes.
TO FINISH:
- Spoon the alfredo sauce over the drained fettuccine and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Amanda says
I’ve never tasted anything like this Copycat Olive Garden Fettuccini Alfredo. Amazing!
Michael says
What chopped green herb to you put on the top? It isn’t listed in the recipe.
Jess Jankowski says
Hi it is parsely. It isn’t listed as it is optional for the recipe. Enjoy!
Victoria says
Can I make this a few hours ahead of time and leave it on warm in a crock pot?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi, we haven’t tested in a crockpot but our first thought is that it will separate if not stirred constantly.
Melissa says
it will separate. I know from experience.
rebecca says
Yum! I love how easy this recipe is and how I usually have all the ingredients on hand, so I can make it whenever.
Roxana says
Wow a nice and simple recipe at such an affordable cost. Love how thorough the post it. Saves time with all these tips.
Anita says
It was the first time for me preparing alfredo sauce from scratch. Turned out really well and delicious. I’m going to make my own sauce from now on. 🙂
Tavo says
You guys nailed it! It definitely tasted like the Olive garden fettuccine! thanks for the recipe!
Karen M says
Made it for supper tonight. It was delicious & easy. I did use 24 oz. of fettuccine noodles, but there was plenty of sauce for that much pasta. Hubby enjoyed it. Bonus is there are leftovers.
Jess Jankowski says
Karen we are thrilled you loved it. Leftovers the next day are the best!