Creamy Homemade Alfredo Recipe (Even Better Than Olive Garden!)

If you love Olive Garden’s Alfredo, you’re in for a treat! This creamy, dreamy homemade Alfredo sauce is rich, flavorful, and incredibly easy to whip up. Perfect for a cozy dinner at home, date night, or even a fun Valentine’s Day meal with festive heart-shaped pasta from Trader Joe’s. Trust us—once you try this, you’ll never go back to store-bought sauce again!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Pasta of your choice (We used Trader Joe’s heart-shaped pasta for a fun Valentine’s twist!)

• 1 stick of butter

• 1 tablespoon minced garlic

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour

• 3 to 3 ½ cups heavy whipping cream

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• Cooked chicken (optional, for topping)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cook Your Pasta

Start by cooking your favorite pasta according to the package instructions. For a festive flair, we love using Trader Joe’s heart-shaped pasta—perfect for Valentine’s Day or anytime you want to add a little extra love to your plate. Don’t forget to salt your pasta water for extra flavor!

2. Make the Creamy Alfredo Sauce

Now, let’s get saucy!

• In a large skillet, melt 1 stick of butter over medium heat until it’s fully melted and slightly bubbly.

• Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds (be careful not to burn it!).

• Stir in ¼ cup of flour to create a roux. This helps thicken the sauce and gives it a silky texture. Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until it’s golden and smooth.

• Slowly whisk in 3 to 3 ½ cups of heavy whipping cream, pouring gradually to avoid lumps. Keep whisking until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken.

• Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper to enhance the flavors.

• Finally, stir in ½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy, rich, and irresistible.

3. Bring It All Together

Drain your cooked pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Toss gently to coat every piece in that luscious, creamy goodness.

4. Add the Finishing Touches

For an extra hearty meal, top your Alfredo pasta with slices of cooked chicken. You can use grilled, baked, or even rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy option. Garnish with a little extra Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper if you’re feeling fancy.

Let us know if you try it! We’d love to hear how it goes!

Xo- Kelly & Stef