Olive Garden Catering: Comprehensive Guide to Menus, Pricing, and Event Planning

Olive Garden’s catering service brings the warmth of Italian-American cuisine to events of all sizes, offering a blend of convenience, affordability, and crowd-pleasing flavors. Known for its unlimited breadsticks, hearty pasta dishes, and customizable options, Olive Garden caters to corporate gatherings, office lunches, celebrations, and more. This guide provides an exhaustive analysis of Olive Garden’s catering offerings, drawing from official menus, pricing data, customer reviews, and logistical insights to help you plan a seamless event.

Olive Garden Catering Menu and Pricing

Olive Garden’s catering menu is divided into three primary categories: Meal Combinations, Create Your Own Pasta Station, and À La Carte Pans. Each option caters to different group sizes and preferences, ensuring flexibility for hosts. At this time, Olive Garden does not offer individually boxed Italian food.

Meal Combinations for small groups

Designed for groups of 8–14 people, these bundles include entrees, salads, breadsticks, and desserts. Prices start at $13.75 per person. Popular packages include:

Chicken Parmigiana Combination

• Price: $227.50
• Includes: Breaded chicken in marinara sauce, spaghetti, house salad, breadsticks, and a dessert (typically cheesecake or tiramisu).
• Calories: 22,020–25,550 per package.

Lasagna Combination

• Price: $227.50
• Includes: Layers of pasta, meat sauce, and Italian cheeses, paired with salad, breadsticks, and dessert.
• Calories: 23,570–27,100 per package.

These combinations simplify ordering by bundling crowd favorites--perfect for those work moments where you need ease and simplicity. Of course, customization is limited compared to à la carte options.

Create Your Own Pasta Station

Ideal for interactive events, this station allows guests to build their plates with two pasta types, three sauces, and three toppings.

• Price: Starts at $13.50 per person.
• Includes: House salad, breadsticks, and setup with chafing dishes.
• Example: Penne with marinara sauce, fettuccine with Alfredo, grilled chicken, meatballs, and roasted vegetables.

This option is particularly popular at corporate events, where engagement and variety are priorities. Something natural and magical happens when two colleagues are catching up in the pasta line.

À La Carte Pans for small groups

Individual pans that serve 4–6 people. Key offerings include:

Chicken Alfredo - $60.99

Shrimp Scampi - $61.99

Five Cheese Ziti - $42.49 (great for vegetarians).

For smaller gatherings, à la carte pans offer flexibility, while larger events benefit from combining multiple trays.

Dietary Accommodations and Allergen Information

Olive Garden accommodates dietary needs with gluten-sensitive pasta, vegetarian dishes, and customizable sauces.

Olive Garden Gluten-Free Options

• Pasta: Substituted with gluten-free penne upon request.
• Sauces: Marinara, meat sauce, and Alfredo are gluten-free.
• Salads: House salad (without croutons) and dressings are safe.

Cross-contact is possible in kitchens, so guests with severe allergies should inform staff when ordering.

Olive Garden Vegetarian and Vegan Choices

• Entrées: Cheese Ravioli, Five Cheese Ziti, and Eggplant Parmigiana.
• Sides: Garlic breadsticks (contains dairy), steamed broccoli, and seasonal vegetables.

While vegan options are limited, hosts can request modifications (e.g., omitting cheese from pasta dishes).

Regional Availability and Service Areas

Olive Garden caters in all U.S. markets, with delivery available within a 10-mile radius of most locations. Olive Garden catering has some regional differences. For example:

In New York, Olive Garden has a $100 catering delivery minimum and ALSO charges a 15% fee on orders under $500.

In Los Angeles there is a next-day ordering cutoff of 5:00PM.

In Chicago, Olive Garden has a $75 delivery minimum.

User Reviews and Testimonials

Positive Feedback

• Quality: “The Chicken Alfredo was rich and creamy, just like in the restaurant. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about it!”
• Convenience: “Setup was effortless-Olive Garden provided everything, including warming trays and utensils”
• Portion Sizes: “The Large Lasagna fed 12 comfortably, with leftovers for days”

Constructive Criticism

• Sauce Quantity: “Our Shrimp Alfredo arrived with barely enough sauce. They quickly delivered more, but it was a hiccup”.
• Breadstick Freshness: “They’re best served warm; consider reheating if your event starts later”.

Overall, 92% of Yelp reviewers rated Olive Garden catering 4 stars or higher, praising its reliability and value.

Comparison to Competing Caterers

Olive Garden vs. Carraba's

Olive Garden and Carrabba’s both offer Italian-American catering, but each appeals differently. Olive Garden stands out for value, offering generous, pasta-heavy packages with unlimited breadsticks and salad, making it a budget-friendly favorite for large groups. Carrabba’s, on the other hand, features a broader menu with wood-grilled meats, higher-quality proteins, and more inventive appetizers and desserts, such as Sogno Di Cioccolata. While Olive Garden wins for breadsticks and price, Carrabba’s is often praised for better overall food quality and a more authentic Italian flavor. Choose Olive Garden for affordability and comfort, or Carrabba’s for variety and elevated taste

Logistics: Ordering, Delivery, and Setup

How to Order

1. Online: Visit OliveGarden.com/Catering to select items and choose pickup/delivery.
2. Phone: Call your local restaurant to speak with a catering specialist.
3. In-Person: Discuss customizations (e.g., gluten-free pasta) at a nearby location.

Orders require 24-hour notice, though same-day requests may be accommodated if inventory allows.

Delivery and Fees

• Minimum Order: $100 for most delivery areas (varies by location).
• Fees: 10% on orders up to $500, 5% thereafter.
• Inclusions: Graters, utensils, table covers, and Sterno fuel.

Setup Tips

• Timing: Schedule delivery 30–60 minutes before the event to ensure optimal temperature.
• Presentation: Use Olive Garden’s branded chafing dishes for a polished look.
• Leftovers: Provide takeout containers; guests often request extras.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I customize sauces or proteins in catering packages?

Yes. Contact Olive Garden’s catering team to swap proteins (e.g., shrimp instead of chicken) or adjust sauce quantities.

2. Does Olive Garden provide staff to serve food?

No. Catering is drop-off only, but setup includes serving utensils and warming equipment. Olive Garden catering does not offer group ordering with individual meals, boxed and labeled with employee names.

3. How much should I order for 20 guests?

• Entrées: 3–4 pans (each serves 4–6).
• Sides: 2 salad trays and 3 dozen breadsticks.

4. Are there discounts for large orders?

Olive Garden occasionally offers 10% off for first-time customers or orders over $500. CaterCow offers a $50 Olive Garden Catering Gift Card on any customer's first order. CaterCow also has a rewards program redeemable for Amazon gift cards.

5. What desserts are available?

Classic Italian desserts like tiramisu, cheesecake, and chocolate cake.

Conclusion: Is Olive Garden Catering Right for You?

Olive Garden’s catering service strikes a balance between affordability and quality, making it ideal for hosts seeking stress-free, crowd-pleasing meals. While it may lack the gourmet flair of high-end caterers, its generous portions, dietary accommodations, and reliable delivery justify its popularity. For corporate event catering, opt for the Create Your Own Pasta Station to add interactive flair; for office lunches, stick with tried-and-true combinations like Chicken Parmigiana.

By leveraging Olive Garden’s catering options, you can deliver an authentic Italian dining experience without the hassle of cooking-leaving you free to enjoy your own event.