One of the most quintessentially Olive Garden dishes has got to be the fettuccine Alfredo. That big bowl of creamy pasta is just begging to have some all-you-can-eat breadsticks dipped into it.
One of the things that makes it so great is its use of heavy cream. While this might seem like a standard inclusion in an Alfredo sauce for most Americans, it actually makes this dish distinctly different from its Italian counterpart.
No one is surprised that Olive Garden is doing something that isnt quite “authentic” to its Italian inspiration, but lots of folks might be surprised to find out that Alfredo pasta sauce was invented in Italy. The original version of fettuccine Alfredo was invented in Rome in 1914 by Alfredo di Lelio.
The legend goes that di Lelios wife had lost her appetite after giving birth to their firstborn son. He tried whipping up an average plate of fettuccine al burro (pasta in a sauce of butter and cheese) but decided to jumpstart his wifes appetite by increasing the amount of butter in the mix. He added more butter to the recipe and got the richest kind he could find. His wife loved the dish so much that she suggested that di Lelio put it on the menu at his restaurant Alfredos and pasta history was made.
How did the cream get involved?
Fettuccine Alfredo would later make its way across the Atlantic sometime after World War II. As Rome was returning to normal after the destruction of the war, a number of Americans visited the Italian capital on vacations. Alfredo had opened a new restaurant on the Piazza Augusto Imperatore and quickly charmed American tourists. By the 1950s, similar recipes started popping up on American menus.
Supposedly, it was at this time that cream was introduced to the recipe. American butter and cheese at the time couldnt compete with the richness of Italian butter and real Parmigiano Reggiano. Cream was introduced as a way to return the decadent flavor to the sauce. Over the years, even more folks would recommend things like using flour to thicken the sauce and adding other ingredients that would take the dish even further from its origins.
Now, the Olive Garden take on the dish with its garlic, heavy cream, and parsley garnish is the prevailing version of Alfredo.
Never Order Fettuccine Alfredo At Olive Garden. Here’s Why.
FAQ
Does Olive Garden really make alfredo from scratch?
Is the alfredo sauce at Olive Garden never ending?
Is chicken alfredo from Olive Garden healthy?
What pasta does Olive Garden use?
What is the difference between Alfredo & Olive Garden?
Now, the Olive Garden take on the dish with its garlic, heavy cream, and parsley garnish is the prevailing version of Alfredo. Everyone has their personal preferences, but make no mistake these two recipes are profoundly different.
Are olives good for health?
Olives are rich in vitamin E, which can improve skin health and help your immune system. They are rich in sodium and fat so eating in moderate quantity is healthy. Olives are particularly rich in antioxidants including oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleanolic acid and quercetin. It reduces the risk of developing heart diseases.
Does Olive Garden keep Alfredo sauce fresh?
And if you were worried the Jimmy Fallon-approved chain wasn’t keeping its sauce fresh, you can breathe a sigh of relief; Olive Garden actually makes its Alfredo sauce in multiple batches that are cooked fresh throughout the day, so while it’s not necessarily made to order, it’s not just sitting around unused for hours on end.
Is Olive Garden’s Alfredo sauce Italian?
It may not be authentically Italian, but Olive Garden’s Alfredo sauce has garnered a solid claim to fame. This is why Olive Garden’s Alfredo is so delicious.