| | | | | | |

Olive Garden Steak Alfredo (Copycat Recipe)

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.

Indulgent, creamy, and packed with tangy Gorgonzola cheese, Olive Garden Steak Alfredo is a copycat recipe for the popular restaurant dish. Fettuccine in a creamy homemade Alfredo sauce, tossed with sun dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. Join me as I recreate this comfort food classic.

I love easy copycat recipes, this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is the best, or you might try my popular Copycat Chipotle Chicken. And for dessert, make this White Chocolate Raspberry Copycat Nothing Bundt Cake or the Chocolate Bundt Cake.

Olive Garden Steak Alfredo with fettuccine and balsamic drizzle.

If you know me (and this blog!) you know how much I love putting my own spin on favorite dishes so that I can whip them up in my own kitchen. That’s how I came up with this recipe — I tried it at Olive Garden and was completely sold!

Why You Will Love this Recipe

  • I love pasta, I love steak, so this Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo is just what the doctor ordered, but sadly Olive Garden has now discontinued this flavorful dish.
  • Okay – I’ll admit that my doctor probably wouldn’t be too happy if I ate this daily, but every once in a while is just fine! It’s all about moderation, am I right? My version of this dish is on the healthier side, as it is homemade and I use all fresh and organic ingredients.
  • This Olive Garden Steak Alfredo recipe involves quite a few of ingredients but once you’ve gathered everything you need it’s very easy to create. You’ll be able to enjoy this dish in under one hour. Let’s get started!
Olive Garden Steak Alfredo twirling on a fork.

Top Tips for the Best Copycat Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo

  • Prep all of your ingredients ahead of time, once you start on the sauce, it comes together quickly and this will make short work of it.
  • Place an oven safe dish into a warm oven (150 degree) while cooking the steaks, this will help them stay warm.
  • If your creamy gorgonzola sauce thickens too much, add some pasta water, it will not only thin the sauce, but using pasta water will also help the sauce adhere to the pasta mixture.
  • Serve family style or plate individually, twirling some fettuccine alfredo onto the plate, laying one or two medallions on top sprinkling with additional gorgonzola, sun-dried tomatoes and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Simple Olive Garden Steak Marinade Ingredients

Labeled ingredients for Olive Garden Steak Marinade.
  • Steak | I have tried out this recipe with all sorts of cuts of beef: rib eye, sirloin, eye of round, and steak medallions. My preference; tenderloin beef medallions, everyone commented how tender they are and cut like butter!
  • Balsamic | Balsamic vinegar appears twice in this Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola recipe: for the meat, as well as a glaze over the finished dish. You may also choose to make your own balsamic reduction. See below for instructions.
  • Italian Dressing & Herbs | This recipe calls for fresh rosemary and your favorite Italian dressing.

Simple Ingredients

Ingredients, directions and nutritional information in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.

Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo labeled ingredients.
  • Marinated Steaks | I have tried out this recipe with all sorts of cuts of beef: rib eye, sirloin, eye of round, and steak medallions. My preference; tenderloin beef medallions. 
  • Gorgonzola | The star of this Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola dish! It is one of the milder types of blue cheese, meaning a slightly tangy and creamy flavor.
  • Parmesan | Opt for freshly grated parmesan if you can – it really does make a difference.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream | I use organic heavy cream.
  • Butter | Use regular or unsalted butter when you cook your meat (it’s a game changer!) and in your gorgonzola alfredo. Remember if it’s soft coming out of the fridge it’s not real butter. 
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes | For a bit of sweetness. You can use sundried tomatoes in oil, or you can opt for a no-oil version.
  • Spinach | Use fresh baby spinach, it’s tender, and full of flavor.
  • Spices and Seasonings | This recipe calls for fresh rosemary, salt, pepper, garlic, nutmeg, and parsley, as well as your favorite Italian dressing to marinate the meat in. 
Olive Garden Steak Alfredo with Gorgonzola cheese on a bed of fettuccine alfredo.

Make your own Balsamic Reduction – it’s easy!

Also called balsamic glaze, this lightly sweet and tangy sauce adds amazing flavor to so many dishes! You might try it on my Caprese BLT’s or drizzled over these brussels sprouts

In a small saucepan, add 1 cup balsamic vinegar and if desired, optional ¼ cup brown sugar.

Bring to a low simmer, stirring occasionally until reduced by half, if you add sugar it will take about 8 minutes or so, if you just use balsamic vinegar it will take twice as long. It should coat the back of a spoon. Cool and serve drizzled over this delicious recipe. Store any leftovers in a jar.

How to make Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola

Step 1 Marinate the Steaks

Mix together the Italian dressing, balsamic vinegar, and rosemary.

Pat the meat dry and season steak with a little salt and pepper to taste. Marinate the steaks for 30 minutes at room temperature, or for up to 4 hours in the fridge. Place in a shallow dish, or for easier clean up in a baggie.

I used tenderloin steaks that were about 1 inch thick, and sliced them in half horizontally, so they were thinner, thereby cooking quicker. Do this before adding to the marinade.

Step 2 Boil Pasta

Boil a large pot of water, cook the fettuccine pasta to al dente according to package directions. Make sure you add salt to the water, but no oil*! Drain and set aside, making sure to reserve some pasta water to add to the sauce. 

Why you should never, ever add oil to your pasta water

It’s a common misconception that adding oil to your pasta water will decrease your chances of your pasta sticking. However; in reality it causes more harm than good. Adding oil to your pasta water actually creates a barrier on the pasta and makes it more difficult for sauce to adhere to the pasta, so don’t add oil to your pasta water!

To avoid clumpy pasta, instead, make sure to boil pasta in plenty of water (the package should tell you how much) and stir just after adding pasta to boiling water, returning to boil as quickly as possible, then stir occasionally while cooking.

If you need to unstick clumpy pasta, dip it briefly in just boiled water and drain immediately, or you can try microwaving it for a few seconds at a time, the steam created from microwaving should release the starches clumping it together.

Step 3 Make the Gorgonzola Alfredo Sauce

While the pasta is cooking, start on the sauce. In a large saute pan or pot, high sided is best, melt butter adding the garlic to saute for the last minute, then stir in the heavy cream. 

Reduce the heat to low and add the nutmeg and parsley. Stir in the Parmesan and gorgonzola cheeses until melted and combined. Bring to a low simmer, then remove from heat. 

Step 4 Cook the Steaks

Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet (I love my Staub All-Day Pan!) over medium-high heat. Remove the steak medallions from the marinade, allowing excess marinade to drip off.

Add the steaks to the hot skillet and cook 2-4 minutes per side, depending on preferred doneness. 

Remove steaks to a warmed plate and cover with foil, allowing them to rest for 5 minutes. Don’t skip this step! 

Toss the cooked pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in the Alfredo sauce. Turn until the pasta is coated, the spinach has wilted, and the sun-dried tomatoes are bright red. 

Step 5 | Plating Steak Alfredo

Swirl a generous amount of the gorgonzola fettuccine and alfredo sauce onto a serving plate, then place portions of steak on top. Sprinkle with gorgonzola cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and a little fresh chopped parsley and don’t forget to add the balsamic drizzle. Enjoy! 

Variations

  • If you can’t find gorgonzola cheese, any type of blue cheese will work, but gorgonzola is a milder blue cheese.
  • To make your Olive Garden Steak Alfredo a bit healthier, use low sodium Italian dressing. You can also use whole milk instead of heavy cream.
  • Substitute Parmesan cheese for Romano or Asiago. 
  • Instead of fettuccine, you can use linguine or spaghetti. I actually used tagliatelle, because I couldn’t find fettuccine anywhere!
  • Lite Olive Garden Steak Alfredo | Instead of using pasta, replace with spaghetti squash or zucchini zoodles. Then this becomes a keto or low-carb steak alfredo!
Olive Garden Steak Alfredo on a plate with a fork twirled in some fettuccine.

Pro Tips

  • Make sure that the steak is at room temperature before you cook it!
  • Don’t skip the nutmeg — it compliments the cheese sauce beautifully! 
  • If your sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of pasta water at a time to thin it out. Be sure to reserve at least a cup of pasta water. Pasta water will allow your sauce to stick to the pasta better.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce made of?

Olive Garden Alfredo sauce is made primarily with cream, Parmesan and Romano cheeses, and seasonings. You can stick with the basics, or you can add gorgonzola, mozzarella, or asiago. If you’re after a healthier version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. 

How do you thicken alfredo sauce?

To make your alfredo sauce thicker, you can add one of the following ingredients: cream cheese, Parmesan, shredded cheese, heavy cream, but as you add the pasta and other ingredients it will thicken more than you realize, so don’t do anything until you have tossed everything together.

Can you substitute milk for heavy cream in alfredo sauce?

Yes, you can substitute milk for heavy cream in Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo sauce if you want to save on calories, or if you simply want a lighter sauce. You could also use a combination of low-fat milk and neufchâtel cheese instead of cream. 

Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo plated with steaks drizzled with balsamic glaze.

What to serve with Olive Garden Steak Alfredo

I hope you love this top secret recipe with the famous Olive Garden Alfredo sauce. You just cannot go wrong for a special occasion, like Valentine’s day or a romantic dinner; make this Steak Alfredo Olive Garden style.

More great copycat recipes:

Olive Garden Steak Alfredo pin top image close up of steak medallions on top of a creamy bed of fettuccine alfredo.

I hope you loved this Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola — if you did, would you share your creation on InstagramFacebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!

Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and comment below the recipe!

Olive Garden Steak Alfredo with fettuccine and balsamic drizzle.

Olive Garden Steak Alfredo

Author: Kathleen Pope
5 from 13 votes
Indulgent, creamy, and packed with tangy Gorgonzola cheese, Olive Garden Steak Alfredo is a copycat recipe for the popular (but discontinued) restaurant dish. Fettuccine in a creamy homemade alfredo sauce, tossed with sun dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. Join me as I recreate this comfort food classic.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinade Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4 -6 servings
Calories 1406 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Steak Marinade

  • 1-2 pounds steak, I used tenderloin; ribeye, butterflied filet mignon, sirloin, eye of round, medallions all work
  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing, use your favorite
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Cooking the steaks

  • 1-2 tablespoons butter
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil, more or less depending on how much steak you are cooking
  • Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Toppings/Garnish

  • Balsamic Glaze*
  • 2 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, or more
  • Extra sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

Gorgonzola Alfredo Sauce

  • ½ cup butter, unsalted (1 stick) May use salted, just reduce salt
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 clove garlic , smashed and minced (or replace with ½ teaspoon garlic powder)
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, try fresh grated!
  • Kosher salt
  • Black Pepper
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, fresh grated is best
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Flat Leaf parsley, chopped (curly parsley may be used)
  • 4 ounces gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1 poud fettuccine pasta, or similar, cooked and drained
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, in oil or no oil

Instructions
 

  • Mix together Italian dressing, balsamic vinegar, rosemary and whisk or place in jar shaking well to combine. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels and salt and pepper to taste. 
  • Place the steaks in gallon size baggie or in shallow glass baking dish* and pour marinade over the steaks, marinate on the counter for 30 minutes or in the fridge up to 4 hours. *If placing in shallow dish, be sure to lift steaks to get marinade under and flip in 15 minutes. If steaks have been in fridge for longer than 1 hour, remove and allow to come to room temperature for 30 minutes. 
  • Cook fettuccine according to package directions; do not add oil or butter to the water, but please add some salt. Cook to the lower side of al dente, the minimum number of minutes on the package. Drain* and set aside (reserve ½-1 cup pasta water to add to the sauce).
  • While the pasta is cooking make the sauce. In a large (high sided) skillet or medium saucepan, add butter and melt, tossing the garlic in the last minute, stirring constantly until fragrant. Add the heavy cream over medium heat, stirring to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low then stir in  nutmeg (garlic powder, if not using fresh garlic) and parsley. Don’t skip the nutmeg, it compliments the cheese sauce beautifully!
  • Stir in the parmesan and gorgonzola cheeses, stirring until melted and combined. Taste, then add additional salt and pepper as needed. Bring to a low simmer, then remove from heat. 
  • Heat a large skillet (I love my Staub All Day Pan) to medium-high heat, add butter and olive oil to pan and melt.
  • Remove steaks and allow excess marinade to drip off, add steaks and cook 2-4 minutes per side, depending on desired doneness. Remove steaks and place on warmed plate and cover with foil, allowing to rest 5 minutes. 
  • Add the cooked pasta, sun-dried tomatoes and spinach to the sauce; tossing until pasta is coated and spinach has wilted and sun-dried tomatoes are bright red. If alfredo sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of pasta water at a time until desired thickness. 

✱ Kathleen’s Tips

Make your own Balsamic Reduction – it’s easy!

Also called balsamic glaze, this lightly sweet and tangy sauce adds amazing flavor to so many dishes! You might try it on my Caprese BLT’s or drizzled over these brussels sprouts
In a small saucepan, add 1 cup balsamic vinegar and if desired, optional ¼ cup brown sugar.
Bring to a low simmer, stirring occasionally until reduced by half, if you add sugar it will take about 8 minutes or so, if you just use balsamic vinegar it will take twice as long. It should coat the back of a spoon. Cool and serve drizzled over this delicious recipe. Store any leftovers in a jar.
  • Pro Tip 1 | Make sure that the steak is at room temperature before you cook it! 
  • Pro Tip 2 | Don’t skip the nutmeg — it compliments the cheese sauce beautifully! 
  • Pro Tip 3 | If your sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of pasta water at a time to thin it out. Be sure to reserve at least a cup of pasta water.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving Calories: 1406 kcal Carbohydrates: 44 g Protein: 51 g Fat: 116 g Saturated Fat: 65 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 8 g Monounsaturated Fat: 35 g Trans Fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 354 mg Sodium: 1505 mg Potassium: 965 mg Fiber: 3 g Sugar: 11 g Vitamin A: 4683 IU Vitamin C: 9 mg Calcium: 661 mg Iron: 4 mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Fresh Cooky is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Kathleen Pope, The Fresh Cooky.

About Kathleen Pope

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

31 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’m getting so hungry just looking at this! I love all the rich flavors here, and it really does look exactly like the Olive Garden version.

  2. 5 stars
    I had been looking for a new steak recipe and this dish really inspired me. It was absolutely delicious and I loved the gorgonzola cheese.

  3. This is so good my family wants me to make it again next week! I personally think it’s better than Olive Garden’s! The only disappointing thing is that there were no leftovers!

  4. This is an amazing meal. I made it for some friends and they thought that I was a five-star chef. That creamy pasta with my favorite tenderloin is a meal worthy of a five-star restaurant!

  5. I adore ordering the steak Alfredo from Olive Garden, but don’t always feel like going out to eat. This came out even better than Olive Garden’s version!!