Olive Garden Herb Sauce
Olive Garden Herb Sauce is a creamy, flavorful sauce that brings together fresh herbs, garlic, butter, and Parmesan cheese to create a rich and aromatic topping for pasta, breadsticks, roasted vegetables, or grilled meats. This homemade version of the restaurant classic is quick and easy to make, perfect for elevating any meal with a burst of savory goodness. Whether served as a dip, a pasta dressing, or a finishing touch on your favorite dishes, this sauce is sure to be a hit at your table!
Equipment
- 1 large skillet or saucepan (for sautéing)
- 1 cutting board (for chopping herbs and garlic)
- 1 sharp knife (for chopping)
- 1 wooden spoon or silicone spatula (for stirring)
- Measuring spoons (for measuring ingredients like salt and pepper)
- 1 cheese grater (for freshly grated Parmesan)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 4 tbsp Butter unsalted
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Fresh Rosemary finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Fresh Thyme finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley finely chopped
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Optional: Crushed Red Pepper Flakes pinch for spice
Instructions
- Prepare the fresh herbs:
- Wash and finely chop the rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Set them aside.
Sauté the garlic and herbs:
- In a large skillet or saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be sure to avoid burning the garlic. Add the chopped rosemary, thyme, and parsley and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Melt the butter:
- Add the butter to the skillet and stir until it has melted and combined with the garlic and herbs.
Add Parmesan cheese:
- Once the butter has melted, reduce the heat and add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and forms a creamy consistency.
Season the sauce:
- Add salt and pepper to taste. If you prefer some heat, sprinkle in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
Simmer:
- Let the sauce simmer for 3-5 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of pasta water or more olive oil to thin it out.
Serve and enjoy:
- Once the sauce is ready, remove it from heat and serve immediately over pasta, as a dip for breadsticks, or drizzled over roasted vegetables or grilled meats.
Notes
- Fresh herbs are essential for the best flavor, but if you're in a pinch, you can use dried herbs (about 1 teaspoon of each dried herb for every tablespoon of fresh). Just remember that dried herbs are more concentrated.
- Parmesan cheese is key to the creamy texture and savory depth of this sauce. Freshly grated cheese will melt more smoothly than pre-grated options.
- If you're making the sauce ahead of time, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on low heat, adding extra olive oil or pasta water to restore the creamy texture.
- For extra richness, you can always add more butter or cheese, but adjust the seasoning accordingly.
- Spice it up by adding more crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper for some extra heat.
- This sauce can also be used as a marinade for meats or drizzled over pizza for an extra flavor boost.