The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
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 $5.96 to make. That’s just around $0.99 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 – $1.36
- 5 Tablespoons salted butter – $0.50
- 2 large garlic cloves – $0.10
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream – $1.74
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper – $0.02
- 2/3 cup parmesan cheese – $1.38
- 2/3 cup mozzarella cheese – $0.86
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 October 2023.
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)
Equipment
- 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.
Barrie says
THANK YOU! This is my favorite fettucini alfredo! I can’t wait to make this!
Jess Jankowski says
No THANK YOU!
Shana Lenoir says
My absolute favorite!
Jess Jankowski says
Me too!
Hannah Chase says
Fettucine alfredo is so delicious. It’s one of my favorite pasta dishes.
Jess Jankowski says
It is so easy and cost effective too!
Brandon Sparks says
This I have to make for my family.. They will love this.. Thanks so much..
Jess Jankowski says
Please do and be sure to let us know how it goes!
laurie damrose says
Tastes just like it.
Jess Jankowski says
Thank you so much!
Ashley F says
One of my favorite sauces! Love that I can make it at home and that it is inexpensive!
Jess Jankowski says
Cost effective and delicious for the win!
Liz says
Oh, my gosh, this is an awesome recipe!! I’ve never tried making alfredo sauce at home, but it’s so easy and was a home run!
Jess Jankowski says
That’s amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Dana Rodriguez says
This is a great idea and looks so good! Thanks for the recipe!
Jess Jankowski says
Enjoy!
Debbie Welchert says
This recipe looks and sounds delicious. I love that it doesn’t have a lot of ingredients in it and I can’t wait to give it a try.
Jess Jankowski says
It is super easy to make. My kids devour it every time!
Katie Bellamy says
Yummy! I could totally do this!!
Jess Jankowski says
Katie, YES you can!
Mimi says
I’ve actually never tried Fettucine Alfredo because they are not something we make in Italy but I’ll definitely give it a go
Jess Jankowski says
Definitely try it. You will not regret it!
Lecy | A Simpler Grace says
I love trying new copycat recipes! Italian food is my favorite.
Jess Jankowski says
We have that in common!
Kim Byars Croisant says
Nice recipe. THis will be great at my next dinner party.
Jess Jankowski says
Yes it will be a hit! We just served it at a family party and there was none left!
Amanda says
I’m typically not one to like Olive Garden but this pasta dish looks very tasty.
Jess Jankowski says
It is one of my favorites!
Marta says
I’ve always loved how easy it is to make alfredo. I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Jess Jankowski says
It is so easy and delicious!
Nadalie Bardo says
I love how quick and easy this recipe is! Make it at home too, in just 30 minutes. Perfect week night meal when you can’t eat out just yet.
Jess Jankowski says
It is perfect for week night meals. Enjoy!
Millie says
This is my go-to disk when we go to the Olive Garden. Since we won’t be going to restaurants for quite some time (due to COVID-19)having a copy cat recipe is perfect! Thanks!
Jess Jankowski says
It’s perfect for right now!
Mae says
Yummy! Thank you for this recipe and I would definitely make this with my toddler!
Jess Jankowski says
You will both love it!
Josephine Bokuniewicz says
This looks absolutely delicious!!!
Jess Jankowski says
It really is yummy!
Taresa Lambert says
Perfect to the taste and Affordable, This is a definitely keeper, Thank you for sharing , , Love it
Jess Jankowski says
So happy you loved it. Thank you for your review and feedback!
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!
Tavo says
You guys nailed it! It definitely tasted like the Olive garden fettuccine! thanks for the recipe!
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. 🙂
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.
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.
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.
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!