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.
Having not been inside an Olive Garden in 10+ years, we ordered Olive Garden catering to see just how far the restaurant has come.
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
Olive Garden shines with small catering orders designed for groups of 8–14 people, which makes them particularly well-suited for small doctors and medical offices. It makes sense then that Olive Garden lists Pharmaceutical Presentation as it's #2 ordering occassion:
Bundles include entrees, salads, breadsticks, and desserts. Prices start at $13.75 per person. After tax, tip, and delivery expect your Olive Garden catering order to cost closer to $18 per person. For more affordable italian catering from local restaurants, check out CaterCow's expansive italian pasta buffet options.
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 $145 for 10 people or $14.50 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 - $64.99
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.
The full menu is available so while there may be cost savings by ordering bundles, if there are specific menu items your team wants to order, you can add them as well.
Olive Garden Catering Beverages
Olive Garden offers a large variety of drinks for your catering order.
Non-alcoholic drinks can be ordered by the gallon or in 2-liter formats. We reccomend skipping these as they are very over-priced. They are likely priced this way because of their bulkiness and challenge in delivering.
On the other hand, Olive Garden catering's wine options felt reasonable and varied. Olive Garden catering offers eight different white and rose wines all priced under $30/bottle.
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
Olive Garden has plenty of vegetarian options as most pastas can be made without meat. The vegetarians in our group enjoyed fettucine alfredo, salad, and breadsticks.
- 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).
Olive Garden Catering Labels
If ordering Olive Garden catering for the office or a group with diverse dietary concerns and allergies, be warned that the labeling is very basic. Olive Garden labels have the name of the dish but no callout for its ingredients, allergens, or dietary needs.
Labels came affixed to the box tops of our pasta bar. Once they were removed for serving, our guests did not know exactly what they were looking at. "Is that marinara or bolognese?" one person asked
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.
CaterCow's Olive Garden Catering Review
When we ordered Olive garden catering for our group of eight, everyone was pleased with how tasty the food was and even moreso, the presentation.
The creamy alfredo was a crowd favorite. I kept coming back for their sausages which reminded me of my own italian traditions.
Compared to a recent Panera Express order, this catering order did not leave our party bloated or tired and had much more food per person.
I was particularly impressed with the salad packaging. Salad packaging?!? Yes, salad packaging. The lid had a perfect indent for Olive Garden's classic italian dressing and another section for the croutons so that they didn't get soggy in transit. This is a new innovation in Olive Garden's catering operation
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
- Online: Visit OliveGarden.com/Catering to select items and choose pickup/delivery.
- Phone: Call your local restaurant to speak with a catering specialist.
- 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
When we ordered Olive Garden catering for dinner, our driver showed up with all our food 15 minutes before the serving time. While we were concerned with the early delivery, our delivery woman ensured us that the sternos would keep the food at temperature for two hours.
In most situations, Olive Garden will not enter a residential home for setup. The exception is if you order the Pasta Bar.
- 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.
- Same Day: Not offered, but next day catering is supported.
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.