Skip to main content
Fettuccine Alfredo

Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo

Includes: A pan of fettuccine with our homemade alfredo sauce. Add Salad Or Soup And Breadsticks To Your Catering Pan To Complete Your Meal

About This Dish

Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo is the purest expression of the brand's signature sauce, priced at $49.99 for a catering pan serving 4 to 6 guests and totaling 5,010 to 5,620 calories. The dish consists of fettuccine pasta tossed entirely in Olive Garden's homemade Alfredo sauce, a rich blend of butter, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan that coats every strand without any protein topping to compete with the sauce. For guests who want the full Alfredo experience without the addition of chicken or shrimp, this is the definitive choice.

Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo stands as the foundation of the brand's pasta identity, with the classic Alfredo sauce delivering 339 grams of fat and 4,550 milligrams of sodium across the full pan. It is lighter on sodium compared to other catering options on the Classic Entrées lineup, making it a practical base for guests who want to customize with added protein at the table. The pan works as both a main course and a rich pasta side for larger catering spreads.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving

5010 Calories
339g Total Fat
4550mg Sodium

* Nutritional values are approximate and may vary. Last updated March 2026.

How to Copycat Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo at Home?

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Total: 30 min Easy

Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo is the original, the menu item that built the brand's reputation for creamy pasta. The copycat version of this recipe has become one of the most searched Olive Garden recipes because so many home attempts result in a greasy, broken sauce or a gluey paste instead of the velvety coating the restaurant achieves.

The two most critical elements of this copycat Fettuccine Alfredo recipe are temperature control and cheese quality. Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano melts into the cream without clumping, while pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that destroy the sauce's texture. Keeping the heat at medium-low when adding cheese and pulling the pan off the burner before incorporating it are the techniques that separate a restaurant-quality result from a disappointing paste.

Ingredients

4 servings

Sauce

Pasta

Instructions

0 / 5
  1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Cook fettuccine until just al dente, about 1 minute less than package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

    11 min
  2. While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 60 seconds until fragrant. Do not let it brown.

    2 min
  3. Pour in heavy cream and increase heat to medium-high. Let the cream come to a gentle simmer and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until it reduces and starts to coat the back of a spoon.

    5 min

    Do not rush this reduction step. Under-reduced cream produces a thin sauce that will not cling to the pasta properly.

  4. Remove the skillet from heat. Gradually add grated Parmesan one handful at a time, stirring between each addition until fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt, white pepper, and nutmeg.

    3 min

    Always take the pan off heat before adding cheese. Residual heat is enough to melt Parmesan without breaking the sauce.

  5. Add the drained fettuccine directly to the sauce. Toss to coat evenly, using reserved pasta water a splash at a time if the sauce is too thick. Serve immediately.

    2 min

Pro Tips

  • Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano is non-negotiable. Block Parmesan grated at home produces a smooth sauce; pre-shredded bags produce a grainy, separated mess.
  • Salt your pasta water until it tastes like mild broth. The pasta absorbs salt during cooking, which reduces the amount of seasoning needed in the sauce.
  • Have all your ingredients measured and ready before starting. Alfredo sauce comes together fast and every second of timing matters.

Variations

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Grill 2 seasoned chicken breasts, slice thin, and arrange over the finished pasta for the full Chicken Alfredo experience.

Shrimp Alfredo

Saute 1 lb of peeled large shrimp in butter and garlic for 2 minutes per side, then add to the finished Alfredo pasta.

Lighter Version

Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and reduce Parmesan to 1.5 cups. Add a splash of pasta water to achieve the right consistency.

Serving Ideas

  • Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan at the table
  • Pair with garlic breadsticks for dipping in the excess sauce
  • A simple side salad with Italian dressing balances the richness
  • Top with cracked black pepper and fresh parsley before serving
  • A crisp Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay cuts through the cream sauce perfectly

Find Fettuccine Alfredo Near You

Visit one of Olive Garden's 900+ locations to enjoy the Fettuccine Alfredo at $49.99.

Olive Garden Near Me

Frequently Asked Questions

Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo is priced at $49.99 for a catering pan that serves 4 to 6 people. Individual dine-in portions are available at a lower price. Prices in New York, Alaska, and California vary slightly.
The Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo catering pan contains 5,010 to 5,620 calories total. The dish has 339 grams of fat and 4,550 milligrams of sodium per pan. Divided among 6 servings, each portion is approximately 835 to 937 calories.
Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo contains fettuccine pasta tossed in the brand's homemade Alfredo sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. The catering pan version does not include chicken or other protein by default, though those additions are available separately.
Melt butter in a skillet, add minced garlic, then pour in heavy cream and reduce for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano in batches until smooth and glossy. Toss with cooked fettuccine and serve immediately. The entire recipe takes about 20 minutes.
Yes, Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo is vegetarian as it contains no meat or seafood. The sauce is made from butter, cream, and Parmesan. Guests with gluten sensitivity should note that the fettuccine pasta contains wheat flour and is not gluten free.