Make Olive Garden’s Garlic Herb Sauce at home with this easy recipe. This flavorful, rich sauce is perfect for pasta, breadsticks, and more, bringing a touch of restaurant-quality flavor to your meals.
Olive Garden’s Garlic Herb Sauce is a creamy, flavorful sauce that elevates any meal with its rich blend of garlic, herbs, and a touch of butter.
Perfect for pairing with pasta, breadsticks, or even drizzling over grilled chicken or vegetables, this sauce brings a taste of the restaurant to your home. Its velvety texture and savory flavor make it a versatile addition to many dishes, and it’s easy to customize with extra herbs or spices to suit your taste.
Whether you’re looking to add a burst of flavor to your dinner or enjoy it as a dip, this Garlic Herb Sauce is sure to become a favorite.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Rich and Creamy: The combination of butter, garlic, and herbs creates a smooth, indulgent sauce that’s perfect for any dish.
- Versatile: It pairs wonderfully with pasta, breadsticks, chicken, and vegetables, making it a great addition to any meal.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and quick preparation, you can whip up this flavorful sauce in no time.
- Customizable: You can adjust the garlic and herbs to your liking, making it easy to personalize to suit your taste.
- Restaurant-Quality Flavor: Enjoy the same delicious sauce you love at Olive Garden, right in the comfort of your home.
Ingredients Needed
- Butter: Adds richness and a smooth texture to the sauce, creating a creamy base.
- Garlic: Provides a bold, savory flavor that enhances the overall taste of the sauce.
- Heavy Cream: Adds a velvety texture and helps balance the richness of the butter for a creamy consistency.
- Parmesan Cheese: Gives the sauce a salty, umami flavor and thickens the sauce.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that adds depth and a fragrant, savory note.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors and brings out the natural richness of the ingredients.
- Black Pepper: Adds a mild kick to the sauce, rounding out the overall flavor profile.
How To Make Olive Garden Garlic Herb Sauce
Step One: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until fully melted and slightly bubbling.
Step Two: Add minced garlic cloves to the melted butter, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. Pour in heavy cream, stirring continuously. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
Step Three: Add grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to taste. Stir everything together until well combined.
Step Four: Let the sauce simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until it reaches your desired thickness, stirring occasionally. Pour the sauce over pasta, breadsticks, chicken, or vegetables.
Olive Garden Garlic Herb Sauce Recipe Tips
- Adjust the Thickness: If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer it longer to reduce the liquid. For a thinner consistency, add a little extra cream or broth to loosen it up.
- Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic provides a bolder, more aromatic flavor compared to pre-minced garlic. Mince it finely to release its natural oils for a more intense garlic taste.
- Grate the Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan works better than pre-shredded because it melts smoothly into the sauce, creating a creamier texture.
- Enhance Flavor with Extra Herbs: Feel free to add more herbs like oregano, thyme, or basil for extra depth of flavor. Fresh herbs can also be used, just add them towards the end of cooking.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to give the sauce a spicy kick if you like some heat.
- Reheat Gently: When reheating the sauce, do so over low heat to avoid separating or curdling the cream. Stir occasionally to maintain a smooth consistency.
- Serve Immediately: For the best texture and flavor, serve the sauce immediately after making it. It’s perfect when hot and fresh!
Storing
- Storing: Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
- Freezing: If you want to store the sauce for a longer period, you can freeze it. Pour the cooled sauce into a freezer-safe container or a resealable freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze in individual portions for easy use.
- Reheating: To reheat, thaw the frozen sauce in the refrigerator overnight. Heat the sauce gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the sauce has thickened too much during freezing, you can add a little extra cream or milk to bring it back to a smooth consistency. Avoid reheating on high heat to prevent the sauce from separating.
What To Serve With Olive Garden Garlic Herb Sauce
Olive Garden Garlic Herb Sauce is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes. Serve it over your favorite pasta, such as fettuccine, spaghetti, or penne, for a creamy and flavorful meal. It’s also a fantastic accompaniment to garlic bread or breadsticks, making them even more indulgent. For a heartier option, drizzle it over grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or seafood like shrimp for a satisfying dinner. You can even use it as a dip for crusty bread, creating a delicious appetizer or snack. The possibilities are endless with this rich and savory sauce!
Olive Garden Garlic Herb Sauce Recipe Faqs
Can I make this sauce ahead of time? Yes, you can make this sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it gently on the stovetop before serving.
Can I freeze Olive Garden Garlic Herb Sauce? Yes, this sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months. Be sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag.
Can I use a different type of cheese? While Parmesan gives the sauce its signature flavor, you can experiment with other hard cheeses like Pecorino Romano. Just keep in mind that the taste and texture may vary.
How can I make the sauce spicier? To add some heat, you can stir in red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce when preparing the sauce. Adjust the spice level to your preference.
What can I use if I don’t have heavy cream? If you don’t have heavy cream, you can substitute it with half-and-half or a combination of milk and butter. The sauce may be a bit lighter in texture but still delicious.
Can I use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder? Yes, fresh garlic is preferred for the best flavor. Just mince the garlic and sauté it with the butter until fragrant before adding the cream.
How can I make the sauce thicker? If you want a thicker sauce, simmer it longer to reduce the liquid. You can also add extra grated Parmesan to help thicken it.
More Easy Copycat Olive Garden Recipes
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Olive Garden Garlic Herb Sauce
Description
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons Butter
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt, adjust to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper, adjust to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until fully melted and slightly bubbling.
- Add minced garlic cloves to the melted butter, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in heavy cream, stirring continuously. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Add grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Add Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to taste. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Let the sauce simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until it reaches your desired thickness, stirring occasionally.
- Pour the sauce over pasta, breadsticks, chicken, or vegetables. Enjoy!
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Whisk
Nutrition
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