Olive Garden uses heavy cream in their fettuccine Alfredo, and while this may seem like a standard inclusion, it’s the ingredient that separates it from its Italian counterpart.

Alfredo was first invented in Rome in 1914 by Alfredo di Lelio. The original recipe included cheese and lots of rich butter, which quickly grew in popularity.

It wasn’t until the 1950s that heavy cream was introduced to the recipe for Alfredo as a way to supplement the decadent flavor that Italian butter and cheese once provided.

Over the years, people have recommended things like using flour to thicken the sauce and adding other ingredients that took 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, even if it isn’t entirely authentic.