Olive Garden Dinner Menu: Savor Italian Classics
The Olive Garden Dinner Menu is full of classic Italian dishes. It blends traditional flavors with new twists. From hearty pasta to fresh salads and tasty entrees, there’s something for everyone. It’s made with top-quality ingredients and true recipes, welcoming everyone who wants authentic Italian comfort.
Explore the Olive Garden menu for dinner and enjoy the wide range of dishes. Each one is carefully made, offering a taste of rich Italian food. Favorites like Fettuccine Alfredo and Five Cheese Ziti al Forno are sure to please.
Start off with appetizers like Shrimp Fritto Misto, or dive into entrees like Chicken Tortelloni Alfredo. The menu has plenty of options. With classic pastas and ways to make your meal your own, everyone will find something they love.
We’ll take a closer look at the Olive Garden menu, including popular starters, soups, salads, pastas, and more. Join us on a tasty trip to Italy with Olive Garden’s menu.
A Brief History of Olive Garden
Olive Garden started its journey on December 13, 1982, in Orlando, Florida. It has grown to become a beloved Italian dining spot worldwide. Forty-two years later, it celebrates significant achievements and a deep dedication to Italian cooking.
In the beginning, Olive Garden showed it could grow fast. By 1989, it had expanded to 145 locations. This made it the fastest-growing unit within General Mills’ restaurant division. By February 13, 2022, there were 922 Olive Garden restaurants all over the world.
Olive Garden is known for its innovation. In 2014, it introduced the “Never Ending Pasta Pass” for $99, offering unlimited pasta for nine weeks. The “Lifetime Pasta Pass” came out in 2019 and sold out super quickly.
Olive Garden has been key to its parent company, Darden Restaurants, financially. By 2022, it brought in $4.5 billion. This was nearly half of Darden’s total revenue, despite a 12% sales dip at some locations. Its success and growth plans show Olive Garden’s strength.
The brand is committed to a welcoming environment, large meals, and a menu that keeps evolving. Its “Never Ending Pasta Bowl” event dishes out over 13 million bowls of pasta for just $9.99 each. It also provides over 600 million breadsticks yearly, proving its dedication to tasty, fulfilling Italian meals.
Olive Garden has also reached beyond the U.S., with 13 locations in Mexico and 5 in Panama by 2024. This includes two spots at Tocumen International Airport. Its international presence points to a bright future for this beloved chain.
Popular Appetizers to Start Your Meal
Olive Garden offers a wide range of starters that showcase Italian traditions. These appetizers include classic flavors and unique twists. You’ll find crispy, cheesy, and savory options on the menu.
Signature Starters
Try Olive Garden’s famous Signature Starters. Start with Stuffed Ziti Fritta, crispy outside and filled with five cheeses. It tastes perfect with marinara or Alfredo sauce.
Don’t miss the Calamari, tender and served with two sauces. The Lasagna Fritta is a twist on traditional lasagna, breaded and fried for a rich taste.
Vegetarian Options
Vegetarians will enjoy options like the Spinach-Artichoke Dip with flatbread. It’s creamy, flavorful, and a favorite.
Olive Garden’s classic Breadsticks come with various sauces. These starters are vegetarian-friendly and ensure a tasty meal beginning.
| Appetizer | Description | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Spinach-Artichoke Dip | Creamy dip served with flatbread crisps | #9 |
| Lasagna Fritta | Breaded and fried lasagna pieces | #8 |
| Stuffed Ziti Fritta | Fried ziti stuffed with five cheeses | #7 |
| Toasted Ravioli | Fried ravioli stuffed with seasoned cheese | #6 |
| Calamari | Fried, tender calamari with dipping sauces | #5 |
| Shrimp Fritto Misto | Fried shrimp served with spicy ranch and marinara | #4 |
| Meatballs Parmigiana | Five hearty meatballs with marinara | #3 |
| Fried Mozzarella | Melted cheese sticks with a crispy, herb-infused outer layer | #2 |
Explore Olive Garden’s Classic Soups and Salads
At Olive Garden, you’ll discover a fantastic range of soups and salads. They’re perfect for a complete meal. These dishes are tasty and offer many healthy options at Olive Garden.
Classic House Salad
The Classic House Salad is a mix of fresh ingredients. It includes fresh greens, black olives, onions, pepperoncini, and tomatoes. They’re all topped with Parmesan and Olive Garden’s special Italian dressing. This salad is a refreshing beginning to your meal and matches the healthy choices at Olive Garden.
Seasonal Soup Specials
Olive Garden soups are famous for being hearty and warm. The seasonal specials include Pasta e Fagioli, Zuppa Toscana, and Minestrone. These soups use fresh, seasonal ingredients for a real Italian taste, offering something new to try always.
Enjoying these soups is a delightful and healthy way to enhance any meal.
Traditional Pasta Favorites
Olive Garden is famous for its tasty pasta dishes, inspired by traditional Italian recipes. The Fettuccine Alfredo and Five Cheese Ziti al Forno stand out. They represent the heart of Italian comfort food, with each dish made to give a memorable experience.
Fettuccine Alfredo
The Fettuccine Alfredo is a key dish at Olive Garden. It mixes soft fettuccine noodles with a creamy Alfredo sauce made fresh every day. The sauce coats each noodle, offering a delicious taste with every bite. You can enjoy this dish at home too. It serves 4-6 people and costs $52.99. Plus, it has about 1,310 calories per serving, making it a rich choice.
Five Cheese Ziti al Forno
The Five Cheese Ziti al Forno is another highlight. Ziti noodles come in a rich five-cheese marinara sauce, topped with melty mozzarella. It’s perfect for anyone who loves cheese. The dish brings cozy and rich flavors, reminding us of Italian cooking. It costs $54.49 and feeds 4-6 people, with each serving having about 1,170 calories.
Olive Garden keeps delighting diners with these traditional Italian pasta favorites. The menu mixes top-quality ingredients with well-loved, comforting flavors.
Olive Garden Dinner Menu: Delightful Entrees
The Olive Garden dinner menu offers a journey through Italy’s rich flavors. You’ll find a wide selection of dishes for all tastes. Enjoy the Chicken Parmigiana for $15.99 or the Herb-Grilled Salmon for $18.99, each made with care and authenticity.
Seafood lovers will enjoy the Shrimp Alfredo, with perfectly cooked shrimp in creamy Alfredo sauce. This dish is a testament to Olive Garden’s commitment to hearty, delicious meals.
If you prefer something lighter, try the Herb-Grilled Salmon. It’s a flavorful, health-conscious choice, seasoned and grilled with traditional Italian methods.
Olive Garden focuses on high-quality ingredients and generous portions. Their meals satisfy hunger and delight the senses. Try pairing your entrée with one of their wines for an enhanced dining experience.
Here’s a detailed look at some popular Olive Garden entrees:
| Entrée | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Parmigiana | Hand-breaded chicken, marinara sauce, melted Italian cheeses | $15.99 |
| Herb-Grilled Salmon | Grilled salmon with garlic herb butter, served with Parmesan garlic broccoli | $18.99 |
| Shrimp Alfredo | Sautéed shrimp in creamy Alfredo sauce over fettuccine | $16.99 |
| Lasagna Classico | Hearty meat sauce, layers of lasagna, ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella | $14.49 |
| Tour of Italy | Combination of Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna Classico, and Fettuccine Alfredo | $17.99 |
Olive Garden’s menu shows their promise to deliver exceptional dining experiences. Whether you crave a classic comfort or a new taste, you’re sure to have a memorable Italian meal.
Pasta Dishes to Savor
Enjoying pasta at Olive Garden takes you on a flavor journey. It mirrors true Italian cooking. You can mix your plate or pick a classic dish. Each choice satisfies a different taste or diet.
Create Your Own Pasta
Want a meal just how you like it? Olive Garden lets you make your own pasta bowl. Start by picking your pasta, like spaghetti, fettuccine, or rigatoni. Then, choose a sauce. Options include marinara, Alfredo, or meat sauce.
Add some protein to finish it off. Choices include chicken, meatballs, or sausage. This choice means meals cater to all likes, offering a one-of-a-kind eat out.
Classic Pasta Dishes
Olive Garden has classic pasta that customers love. Take the Lasagna Classico. It’s layers of pasta, cheese, and meat sauce. It’s a meal that fills you up and warms the heart. Another hit is the Ravioli Carbonara. This dish mixes cheese ravioli with a bacon-filled creamy sauce.
Fettuccine Alfredo and Five Cheese Ziti al Forno are also popular. These meals show Olive Garden’s mission to offer a wide range of tasty pasta at good prices.
| Pasta Dish | Calories | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lasagna Classico | 940 | $17.99 |
| Cheese Ravioli | 780-860 | $15.79 |
| Fettuccine Alfredo | 1,310 | $15.79 |
| Five Cheese Ziti al Forno | 1,220 | $16.99 |
Olive Garden’s menu and nutrition facts let diners pick wisely. With many classic pastas available, enjoying true Italian taste is easy.
Seafood Selections on the Olive Garden Menu
Olive Garden is a favorite for seafood fans, offering many tasty choices. They blend fresh ingredients with Italian cooking ways. You’ll find meals perfect for any taste or diet.
The Shrimp Scampi is light and refreshing. It has sautéed shrimp in garlic sauce over angel hair pasta. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for something lighter, with 960 milligrams of sodium.
For something richer, try the Seafood Alfredo. It’s homemade fettuccine alfredo with shrimp and scallops on top. This meal has 1,690 milligrams of sodium, making it a filling option.
The Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara costs about $20. It has 64 grams of protein and around 2,050 milligrams of sodium. It’s perfect for those who want a meal that’s rich in protein.
If you prefer something different, consider the Mediterranean Grilled Trout. This dish comes with a 10 oz trout filet and pappardelle pasta. It’s tossed with garlic, broccoli, and fresh tomato sauce for a balanced meal.
The Shrimp Fritto Misto is loved by many. It has over 0.5 pounds of shrimp but is high in sodium, with 5,010 milligrams. Priced at about $13, it’s great for fans of crispy seafood.
The Baked Tilapia with Shrimp offers a refined choice. It features white fish and shrimp in a white wine sauce. Served with garlic broccoli, it’s a sophisticated and lighter choice.
| Dish | Key Ingredients | Sodium (mg) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrimp Scampi | Sautéed shrimp, garlic sauce, angel hair pasta | 960 | N/A |
| Seafood Alfredo | Shrimp, scallops, fettuccine alfredo | 1,690 | N/A |
| Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara | Chicken, shrimp, carbonara sauce | 2,050 | $20 |
| Mediterranean Grilled Trout | Trout, pappardelle pasta, garlic, broccoli, tomato sauce | N/A | N/A |
| Shrimp Fritto Misto | Fried shrimp | 5,010 | $13 |
| Baked Tilapia with Shrimp | Tilapia, shrimp, white wine sauce | N/A | N/A |
With over 850 locations in the US, Olive Garden offers a wide menu. Seafood lovers will enjoy options from Shrimp Scampi to Mediterranean Grilled Trout. The restaurant crafts dishes for all tastes and needs. Every visit is sure to be delightful.
Specialty Dishes and Chef’s Recommendations
Olive Garden combines tradition and innovation in their dishes. The chefs recommend unique dishes that are both flavorful and beautifully presented. For example, the Chicken Margherita is a top choice. It’s grilled chicken breast with tomatoes, mozzarella, basil pesto, and parmesan-crusted zucchini on the side.
The Herb-Grilled Salmon is another great pick. It’s a salmon seasoned with Italian herbs and grilled. It comes with a side of sautéed spinach. This dish is perfect for those who love seafood.
The menu also has the Chicken Parmigiana. It’s two chicken breasts fried lightly, with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Spaghetti is served on the side. This dish is well-loved for its comforting taste.
The Chicken Alfredo is a crowd pleaser too. It has grilled chicken in a creamy Alfredo sauce. It offers a satisfying and rich meal.
For those wanting to try different dishes, the Tour of Italy is ideal. It includes Chicken Parmigiana, Fettuccine Alfredo, and Lasagna Classico. It lets diners sample a range of Olive Garden’s best dishes in one go.
For a hearty meal, try the Asiago Tortelloni Alfredo with Grilled Chicken. This dish has asiago cheese-filled tortelloni and grilled chicken, all in Alfredo sauce. It’s a filling and indulgent choice.
Below is a table comparing some top dishes and their details:
| Dish | Calories | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Margherita | 590 | $18.49 |
| Herb-Grilled Salmon | 460 | $20.29 |
| Chicken Parmigiana | 1,020 | $18.79 |
| Chicken Alfredo | 1,570 | $18.99 |
| Tour of Italy | 1,550 | $21.49 |
| Asiago Tortelloni Alfredo with Grilled Chicken | 1,980 | $20.99 |
Satisfying Vegetarian Options
Olive Garden is stepping up its game by including more Olive Garden vegetarian menu options. This change started in the early 2000s, showing their dedication to all diners. They began with vegetarian options and haven’t stopped since.
2005 was a big year with the first exclusive vegetarian pasta dishes introduced. By 2010, Olive Garden had added more salads and appetizers for a meat-free meal. This showed their ongoing commitment to diverse dining options.
The menu got a big update in 2015 with even more plant-based choices. In 2020, they fully revamped the vegetarian menu. Now, it includes customizable meals, seasonal dishes, and protein-packed options for vegetarians.
For starters, the Classic Tomato Bruschetta and Roasted Vegetable Antipasti are hits, with 190 and 220 calories. These appetizers, priced between $6.75 and $9.99, are tasty without the guilt. For salads, the Caprese Salad and Garden Salad are great choices from the Olive Garden vegetarian menu.
Main dishes like the Eggplant Parmigiana, Vegetable Lasagna, and Stuffed Portobello Ravioli are menu stars. Priced from $13.49 to $15.29, they bring Italian cuisine’s best to the table. They’re also part of the Olive Garden healthy dining options.
Customizable pasta dishes, priced between $12 and $15, let customers have meals their way. Olive Garden also introduces vegetarian specials using local produce, keeping the menu new and interesting.
There are many vegan-friendly options at Olive Garden, besides the mains. While vegan desserts aren’t available yet, sides like Steamed Broccoli and Grapes are on the menu. Whether it’s adjusting protein or prefering plant-based, Olive Garden has got you covered.
Olive Garden’s focus on Olive Garden healthy dining options shows its dedication to serving satisfying vegetarian meals. With more than 900 locations, these vegetarian choices are easily accessible for a delightful, meat-free dining experience anytime.
Conclusion
The Olive Garden dinner menu blends traditional Italian tastes with modern cooking. This ensures there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The appetizers range from Fried Mozzarella at $5.49 to Calamari at $10.99. They offer a variety of choices for a great start to any meal.
For the first course, soups like Zuppa Toscana and Pasta e Fagioli are both $5.79. The famous Classic House Salad is just $5.99. These options provide a fresh and hearty start to your dining experience.
Olive Garden’s main dishes offer a wide range of options. You can choose from Chicken Parmigiana for $25.79, Seafood Alfredo at $28.49, or the Five Cheese Ziti al Forno for $21.49. There’s also a special spot for seafood enthusiasts with dishes like Shrimp Scampi priced at $27.49. Plus, about 25% of the menu is vegetarian, showing Olive Garden’s effort to meet different eating habits.
Family-size pans and meal bundles add value to the Olive Garden experience. With options like the Family-Style Lasagna Bundle at $66.99 or the Chicken Alfredo pan for $67.99, they’re perfect for groups. Don’t skip the desserts, priced between $6.99 and $7.49, for the ideal finish. Overall, Olive Garden offers a mix of quality, variety, and value that attracts people from all over.
FAQ
What is included in the Olive Garden Dinner Menu?
The Olive Garden Dinner Menu offers a wide selection of Italian-inspired dishes. You’ll find appetizing starters such as Stuffed Ziti Fritta and Calamari. Guests can enjoy Classic House Salad, Seasonal Soup Specials, and Traditional Pasta Favorites like Fettuccine Alfredo.
There are tasty Entrees including Chicken Parmigiana and Herb-Grilled Salmon. Plus, you can Create Your Own Pasta or pick from various Seafood and Specialty Dishes.
Does Olive Garden offer vegetarian options?
Yes, Olive Garden provides a broad selection of vegetarian choices. Options include Spinach-Artichoke Dip and Classic Breadsticks with dipping sauces. You can also enjoy the Classic House Salad, Eggplant Parmigiana, and Cheese Ravioli for a fulfilling vegetarian meal.
What are some popular appetizers at Olive Garden?
Popular appetizers at Olive Garden include Stuffed Ziti Fritta and Calamari with marinara. Guests also enjoy the Lasagna Fritta among the Signature Starters. For those preferring vegetarian options, there are appetizers like Spinach-Artichoke Dip and Classic Breadsticks.
Are there any seasonal items on the Olive Garden menu?
Yes, Olive Garden features Seasonal Soup Specials using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Soups such as Pasta e Fagioli, Zuppa Toscana, and Minestrone are offered. They give guests a taste of Italian flavors all year round.
Can I customize my pasta dish at Olive Garden?
Definitely! The “Create Your Own Pasta” feature at Olive Garden lets you pick from various pastas, like spaghetti. Choose your favorite sauce, such as marinara, and add protein options like chicken or meatballs. This way, you can customize the dish to your liking.
What types of seafood dishes are available at Olive Garden?
Olive Garden’s seafood menu includes delicious options like Shrimp Alfredo and Shrimp Scampi. They also offer a Seafood Alfredo. These dishes feature fresh seafood paired with signature Italian flavors.
