The Best Olive Garden Recipes Ever

These Olive Garden Recipes deliver all the restaurant-quality Italian flavor you’re looking for without ever having to step outside your kitchen. We’ve got something for every occasion, from snackable apps or a cozy bowl of soup to impressive main dishes for guests. And don’t forget dessert! Choose your favorites or try them all.

Olive Garden Recipes

I’ve been a longtime fan of Olive Garden… what’s not to love about a big plate of comforting Italian favorites that I didn’t have to cook myself??

And don’t get me started on the unlimited breadsticks. I always ask for a refill at the end just so I can take home some extras!

But I don’t always have the time (or money) for dining out, but I sure do love recreating my favorites at home. Plus, I don’t have to stress when something disappears from the menu.

We’ve rounded up our most popular Olive Garden copycat recipes all in one place so you can find just what you’re looking for.

From fan-favorite appetizers to mouthwatering desserts and everything in between, there’s something for any occasion — whether that’s weeknight dinner, meal-prepped lunches, weekend hangs, or family celebrations. Enjoy!!

Appetizers and Sides

Start your at-home feast off right with one of these delicious and easy-to-make copycat Olive Garden recipes.

Or, whip up your favorite as a tasty snack. I’ve even been known to indulge in a few for the main meal!

Olive Garden Copycat Breadsticks are warm and chewy, with plenty of buttery garlic flavor! Save yourself a trip to the restaurant and make a dozen (or more) at home with this easy recipe. There’s even a tip on how to make dessert breadsticks with the same dough!

Warm Spinach Artichoke Dip is sure to please anyone at the table with its signature tang and all that gooey cheese. It’s so good, you’ll want to eat it right off the spoon… and sometimes, I do! Pair with your favorite dippers and dig in.

Lasagna Fritta is a fancy name for fried lasagna rolls — three-cheese filling wrapped in tender sheets of pasta, then battered and fried to crispy perfection. It’s one of the most popular items on the menu, and for good reason! Don’t forget a dipping sauce or two for extra flavor.

Try Meatballs Parmesan when you’re craving that classic topping combo of cheese, breadcrumbs, and marinara but are tired of the same ol’ chicken dish. The homemade meatballs are so tender and juicy, and the whole appetizer comes together in just 20 minutes!

Stuffed Mushrooms are bursting with so many textures and flavors, it’s amazing they can all fit in such a small package. Peppers, clams, and three types of cheese…yum!! It’s one of the best Olive Garden copycat recipes for fancier parties or a date night at home because of how impressive these look and taste.

Make Fried Ravioli for a fun and crunchy twist to stuffed pasta. All you need is a package of your favorite frozen ravioli and some staple ingredients for the breading. Each batch fries up in minutes and is packed with flavor inside and out.

Once you try this Fried Mozzarella, you’ll never want regular mozzarella sticks again! Swap string cheese for fresh, creamy mozzarella, then coat with garlic and herb breadcrumbs and deep fry. Delicious with marinara, alfredo, ranch dressing, and more!

Stuffed Ziti Fritta are like little pasta mozzarella sticks, packed with a mouthwatering blend of ricotta, cream cheese, parmesan, and fresh mozzarella, of course. Crispy, crunchy, and perfectly seasoned, this recipe is perfect for lunch, dinner, or an amazing appetizer!

Fried Calamari might look like onion rings at first glance, but it’s so much better! Deliciously tender and chewy in the center with an herb-infused batter that coats every inch, this easy appetizer will take any meal from bland to grand. 

Olive Garden Copycat Soups and Salad

Nothing warms you right up like a cozy bowl of soup, and each one of these is better than the last.

You can also create your own unlimited soup and salad combo for lunch! Each one of these soup recipes makes for delicious leftovers.

Pour creamy Italian Dressing over a crisp and delicious salad — one of the easiest Olive Garden copycat recipes to make! You’ll find recipes for both, plus tips on how to make the very best version at home with fresh ingredients.

Pasta Fagioli is like a cross between chili and minestrone, in the best way possible. Find plenty of ground beef, veggies, beans, and ditalini pasta in a savory tomato broth. Add a big bowl of salad and those famous breadsticks, and dinner is served!

This homemade Chicken and Gnocchi Soup is even better than the original, so thick and creamy with tender gnocchi in every bite. There are so many layers of flavor that you’ll be begging for seconds. Ready in under an hour on the stovetop!

Zuppa Toscana is an incredible Tuscan-inspired sausage and potato soup with a creamy broth and plenty of fresh kale. It’s one of my favorite meals to make once the weather gets cold, and we rarely have leftovers… it’s that good!

Minestrone Soup is one of the best vegetarian Olive Garden recipes — and one of the most delicious too! Make a big pot to feed a crowd, or divide it up and freeze for later. Loaded with plenty of veggies, beans, and pasta, it’ll fill you right up and stick to your bones.

Pasta Favorites

You scrolled right to this section, didn’t you? I can’t blame you! There’s a reason Italian food brings to mind mouthwatering memories of pasta dishes!

Whether you’re looking for a delicious sauce to toss with a fresh batch of pasta or a hearty baked dish to feed the whole family, these Olive Garden recipes have you covered.

Alfredo Sauce is the perfect topping for pasta and veggies, thanks to all that creamy, cheesy flavor, and the Olive Garden version can’t be beat. Now, you can make a big batch at home with this easy copycat recipe!

What isn’t Marinara Sauce good for?? On pasta and pizza, in meatball subs, and as a dip for just about anything… the possibilities are endless! Make a big batch in under an hour, then use it right away or save it for later. It freezes well too!

Five Cheese Ziti al Forno is the absolute best comfort food, combining tender pasta and gooey, creamy cheeses in a herb-seasoned tomato sauce. It’s one of my favorite copycat Olive Garden recipes for both weeknights and Sunday family dinners.

Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a step up from noodles and sauce, adding juicy, seasoned chicken breast to the classic dish. Ready to serve in under 30 minutes too! And if you’re cooking for two, you’ll have plenty for leftovers the next day.

Olive Garden Copycat Stuffed Shells will have everyone fooled — they won’t believe it’s not takeout! Giant pasta shells are cram-packed with two types of cheese, smothered in creamy alfredo and zesty marinara, and topped with crispy breadcrumbs. Yum to the max!!

This Lasagna Classico Recipe is perfect for a large family dinner and can be made ahead and frozen for busy weeknights too. Boasting layer after layer of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and more cheese than you can imagine, each bite is more delicious than the last.

Chicken Scampi with Pasta features a bright and buttery white wine sauce that’s easy to make from scratch. And since everything is cooked in the same pan, you don’t lose a single bit of flavor! Bell peppers and onion round it all out for a balanced meal that’s incredibly delicious.

Main Dish Olive Garden Copycat Recipes

Not everyone wants a big serving of pasta, and that’s where these delicious entrées come in. 

Simple enough for a weeknight meal, but impressive enough for guests, each of these main dish recipes will leave you wanting more.

Pan-fried Chicken in White Wine is the most popular of our Olive Garden recipes, and once you take your first bite, you’ll see why! Also known as Chicken Bianco, it was my personal favorite before they took it off the menu. Crispy cutlets served over tender linguine with a bright and buttery sauce… what’s not to love?

Crispy Chicken Fritta is simple to make, but that doesn’t mean it lacks in flavor. Imagine crunchy, crispy chicken cutlets over a pile of pasta coated in a simple Asiago cheese sauce. My mouth is watering already! Ready in 35 minutes or less.

Make classic Chicken Parmigiana in no time with this easy copycat recipe. Pan-fried cutlets are smothered in marinara and plenty of cheese and paired perfectly with pasta, veggies, and more. A true Italian dish through and through!

Eggplant Parmesan is just as hearty and flavorful as the classic chicken dish, but with a vegetarian twist that anyone will love. This beloved baked recipe is so homey and comforting, and the portions are always enormous. Perfect for feeding a hungry family while getting an extra serving of veggies too!

Try Stuffed Chicken Marsala when you need a break from traditional tomato or cream sauces. Tangy sun-dried tomatoes and nutty cheese melt inside juicy chicken breasts, smothered in the most incredible mushroom wine sauce. Serve with pasta to soak up every last drop.

Best Desserts

Dare I say, the best part of the meal! Make sure to leave room for these scrumptious Olive Garden recipes — there’s something to satisfy every sweet tooth.

Black Tie Mousse Cake features three luxurious layers of chocolate and cheesecake goodness, making it the best dessert when you’ve got someone to impress. Plan ahead because this one needs some time to chill!

While Chocolate Brownie Lasagna may sound funny at first, it just means there are more sweet layers than you can count! We’re talking brownies, cream cheese frosting, grated chocolate, and chocolate sauce all stacked together into a chocoholic’s dream.

Italian Lemon Cream Cake is a light and refreshing dessert with the most luscious whipped cream mascarpone filling inside and out. Perfect any time of year and for all kinds of occasions — including Easter, baby showers, bridal showers, and more!

This Olive Garden Copycat Tiramisu Recipe is the best one out there, delivering flavor and texture in a big way! Made with espresso-soaked ladyfingers, plenty of mascarpone custard, and a generous dusting of cocoa powder, this dessert is sure to please.

Sicilian Cheesecake with Strawberry Topping is much lighter than other versions, thanks to a fluffy ricotta-cream cheese filling and shortbread cookie crust. Most of the sweetness comes from the berry topping too, so you can easily cut yourself a bigger slice!

Crispy Italian Donuts, also known as zeppole, are pillowy on the inside and tossed in a delectable vanilla sugar coating. It’s one of the easiest dessert copycat Olive Garden recipes to make — no special equipment needed. Don’t forget some warm chocolate sauce for dipping!

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Originally published March 2025

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