Fettuccine Alfredo is a famous dish that is easy to make and tastes great. It was invented in Rome by Alfredo di Lelio using noodles, butter, and Parmesan cheese. It became popular and is now served in Italian-American restaurants with cream added for extra flavor.
Today, you’ll find Fettuccine Alfredo at nearly every Italian restaurant across the U.S. But with so many options, which chain serves the best version of this beloved dish?
I tried the Fettuccine Alfredo at four popular Italian-American chains—Buca di Beppo, Bravo! To see who reigns supreme, Italian Kitchen, Olive Garden, and Carrabba’s. Here’s how they ranked, from least impressive to best.
Top Chain Alfredo Reviews
4. Buca di Beppo
- Nutrition (Per 1 Small Order):
- Calories: 710
- Fat: 28 g (Saturated Fat: 15 g)
- Sodium: 2,300 mg
- Carbs: 94 g (Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 7 g)
- Protein: 21 g
Overview:
Buca di Beppo is so known for serving Italian food for families, but they have done poorly lately and even filed for bankruptcy in 2023. On the menu is the Fettuccine Alfredo, a big dish that’s supposed to be shared.
The creamy Alfredo sauce comes fresh from the restaurant’s kitchen; you can add chicken or shrimp to your order at an extra charge.
Look and Presentation:
The dish arrives in a large bowl of noodles in glossy Alfredo sauce. While it looked appetizing at first glance, there was no offer for freshly grated cheese, and it came with a sprinkling of powdered Parmesan.
Taste:
Unfortunately, the taste didn’t live up to expectations. The pasta was slightly overcooked, and the Alfredo sauce needed more depth. It tasted like a standard, store-bought sauce with minimal cheesy flavor.
Overall, the dish was bland and needed salt and Parmesan to boost the taste. I expected more for the price point of $29.99 for a small order.
3. Bravo! Italian Kitchen
- Nutrition (Per 1 Entrée):
- Calories: 960
- Fat: 47 g (Saturated Fat: 29 g)
- Sodium: 2,240 mg
- Carbs: 112 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 4 g)
- Protein: 26 g
Overview:
Bravo! Italian Kitchen is a place for authentic Italian-American entrees. The Fettuccine Alfredo features house-fresh fettuccine, Parmesan, and homemade Alfredo sauce. $16.99-no soup or salad, but did get a side focaccia bread with oil to dip.
Look and Presentation:
The dish looked plain. The sauce was lightly on the yellow noodles. It had chopped parsley on top, but no fresh Parmesan cheese.
Taste:
Bravo! did an okay Fettuccine Alfredo, but it was nothing impressive. The sauce is so rich, but it lacks flavor enough with a hint of garlicky and cheesy taste. The noodles had a taste slightly of eggs, but the sauce could have had just a little seasoning. Very boring, but not bad for a meal on the run.
2. Olive Garden
- Nutrition (Per 1 Entrée):
- Calories: 1,310
- Fat: 90 g (Saturated Fat: 55 g)
- Sodium: 1,210 mg
- Carbs: 95 g (Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 5 g)
- Protein: 30 g
Overview:
People really like Olive Garden for their Italian-American food, especially their Fettuccine Alfredo. It costs $16.49 and comes with their special Alfredo sauce, as well as unlimited soup, salad & breadsticks.
Look and Presentation:
The white Alfredo sauce was poured generously over the noodles, with parsley & Parmesan sprinkled on top. It was a classic dish, with a big portion for a good price.
Taste:
Olive Garden’s Fettuccine Alfredo tastes really good & creamy. The sauce is buttery and sticks nicely to the noodles. The dish is flavorful and satisfying, especially with the unlimited breadsticks & salad. It’s not the most traditional, but it’s a great comfort food.
1. Carrabba’s
- Nutrition (Per 1 Side Order):
- Calories: 740
- Fat: 49 g (Saturated Fat: 32 g)
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Carbohydrates: 51 grams (2 grams from fiber, 4 grams from sugar)
- Protein: 20 g
Overview:
Carrabba’s Italian Grill has different pasta dishes. The Fettuccine Alfredo is a side option, but you can make it a full meal for $14.79. The side dish also includes bread and your choice of soup or salad..
Look and Presentation:
My least favorite was the most visually appealing Fettuccine Alfredo, served at Carrabba’s. The sauce seemed well mixed with the noodles, providing rich creamy texture in every mouthful. The plate was garnished with parsley flakes & grated Parmesan cheese..
Taste:
Carrabba’s Fettuccine Alfredo was excellent. The sauce was full of Parmesan flavor but not too creamy. Noodles were perfectly cooked. This Cheesy buttery sauce dresses the pasta so beautifully, and every bite tastes wonderfully yummy.
Ingredients are more than par; this must be the best Alfredo out of the four restaurants, more impressive since it is a side dish because it easily be a main course on its own.
Final Ranking:
- Carrabba’s: The Alfredo sauce tasted really good and wasn’t too strong, and the pasta was cooked just right. Overall, it was the best because everything tasted great together.
- Olive Garden: A close second with its rich, buttery Alfredo sauce and satisfying portion size. It’s a great comfort food option.
- Bravo! Italian Kitchen: Okay but not great. The sauce didn’t have much flavor, and the dish was plain.
- Buca di Beppo: Not good in taste or how it was made. The sauce was dull & the whole thing was not very exciting.
Conclusion:
While all four restaurants offered their take on Fettuccine Alfredo, Carrabba’s emerged as the clear winner with its perfectly balanced sauce and high-quality ingredients. Olive Garden’s Alfredo was very good, giving a comforting and satisfying experience.
Bravo! and Buca di Beppo were not as tasty or appealing. If you like Fettuccine Alfredo, Carrabba’s and Olive Garden are great choices for a delicious plate of cheesy pasta.