14 Olive Garden Recipes

Olive Garden, a beloved name in the realm of Italian-American cuisine, continues to capture the hearts of food lovers with its signature dishes.

From the warm, welcoming ambiance to the endless servings of salad and breadsticks, this restaurant chain has become synonymous with family dining and comfort food.

Yet, what makes Olive Garden truly stand out is its delicious and seemingly secret recipes. In this article, we’ll unlock the magic of Olive Garden by exploring 14 of their most popular recipes.

Whether you’re a novice in the kitchen or an experienced chef, these recipes will bring the taste of Italy right into your home, complete with easy-to-follow instructions and a list of simple ingredients.

1. Olive Garden’s Famous Alfredo Sauce

Rich and creamy, this Alfredo sauce is the foundation of many Olive Garden favorites. It’s surprisingly easy to make and perfect for a quick dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 pint of heavy cream
• 1 stick of unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Melt butter and cream cheese in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir in heavy cream and garlic powder.
3. Add Parmesan cheese and whisk until smooth and creamy.
4. Serve over your favorite pasta.

2. Classic Chicken Parmigiana

A timeless classic, this Chicken Parmigiana is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, smothered in a robust marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups flour
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups breadcrumbs
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Olive oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Flatten the chicken breasts to an even thickness.
2. Dredge in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and coat with breadcrumbs.
3. Fry in olive oil until golden brown.
4. Place in a baking dish, top with marinara sauce and mozzarella.
5. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.

3. Zuppa Toscana

This hearty soup combines spicy Italian sausage, crisp bacon, fresh kale, and creamy potatoes in a savory broth.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 large potatoes, sliced
• 1 quart chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups kale, chopped

Instructions:

1. Cook sausage and bacon in a large pot until browned.
2. Add onion and garlic, cook until translucent.
3. Add potatoes and chicken broth; simmer until potatoes are tender.
4. Stir in heavy cream and kale; cook until kale is wilted.

4. Garden-Fresh Salad

A refreshing mix of crisp lettuce, olives, onions, and tomatoes, topped with Olive Garden’s signature dressing.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups mixed lettuce (romaine and iceberg)
• 1 small red onion, sliced
• 10 black olives
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup croutons
• Olive Garden salad dressing

Instructions:

1. Combine lettuce, onion, olives, and tomatoes in a large bowl.
2. Toss with dressing and top with croutons before serving.

5. Lasagna Classico

Layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella make this lasagna a comforting favorite.

Ingredients:

• 9 lasagna noodles, cooked
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef and mix with marinara sauce.
2. Layer noodles, meat sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella in a baking dish.
3. Repeat layers and top with Parmesan.
4. Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes.

6. Bruschetta Caprese

Description: A delightful appetizer featuring toasted bread topped with juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella, drizzled with balsamic glaze.

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, sliced and toasted
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, diced
• Balsamic glaze

Instructions:

1. Combine tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella.
2. Top each slice of bread with the tomato mixture.
3. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.

7. Creamy Mushroom Pasta

This pasta is enveloped in a velvety mushroom sauce, making it a savory dish that’s perfect for mushroom lovers.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 lb spaghetti
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. Sauté mushrooms in olive oil until browned.
3. Add heavy cream and Parmesan, simmer until sauce thickens.
4. Toss spaghetti in the sauce and serve.

8. Herb-Grilled Salmon

Grilled to perfection, this salmon is seasoned with herbs and served with a lemon garlic butter sauce.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon mixed dried herbs (basil, rosemary, thyme)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Season salmon with herbs, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil.
2. Grill over medium heat until cooked through.
3. For the sauce, melt butter and mix with lemon juice and garlic.
4. Serve salmon with sauce drizzled over the top.

9. Chicken Gnocchi Soup

A comforting and creamy soup filled with tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and vibrant spinach.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, cooked and diced
• 1 package gnocchi
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups spinach, chopped

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, bring chicken broth to a boil.
2. Add gnocchi and cook until they float to the surface.
3. Add chicken, heavy cream, and spinach. Cook until heated through.

10. Stuffed Fettuccine Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo taken to the next level with cheese-filled pasta and extra creamy sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb stuffed fettuccine (cheese-filled)
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 1 stick butter
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions:

1. Cook fettuccine according to package instructions.
2. In a separate pan, melt butter and add heavy cream.
3. Stir in Parmesan until melted and sauce is creamy.
4. Toss cooked pasta in the sauce and serve immediately.

11. Spaghetti Carbonara

A classic Italian dish featuring spaghetti in a creamy sauce with bacon and a touch of pepper.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. Cook bacon until crispy. Remove from heat.
3. Whisk eggs and Parmesan together. Pour over hot pasta.
4. Add bacon and black pepper. Toss until creamy.

12. Shrimp Scampi

Light and flavorful, this shrimp scampi is tossed in a garlic lemon butter sauce with a hint of white wine.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 4 tablespoons butter
• Parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Sauté garlic in butter until fragrant.
2. Add shrimp and cook until pink.
3. Deglaze the pan with white wine and lemon juice.
4. Cook until sauce reduces slightly. Garnish with parsley.

13. Eggplant Parmesan

Crispy fried eggplant slices layered with marinara sauce and lots of melted cheese.

Ingredients:

• 2 eggplants, sliced
• 2 cups breadcrumbs
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Dredge eggplant slices in beaten eggs, then breadcrumbs.
2. Fry in oil until golden brown.
3. Layer with marinara sauce and mozzarella in a baking dish.
4. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.

14. Tiramisu

A classic Italian dessert with layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cheese, dusted with cocoa powder.

Ingredients:

• 1 package ladyfingers
• 1 cup strong coffee, cooled
• 1 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, separated
• Cocoa powder for dusting

Instructions:

1. Dip ladyfingers briefly in coffee.
2. Layer in a dish with mascarpone mixture (egg yolks beaten with sugar, folded into whipped egg whites).
3. Repeat layers and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
4. Dust with cocoa powder before serving.

Conclusion: Bringing Olive Garden Home

These 14 Olive Garden recipes offer a wonderful way to recreate the magic of dining out right in your own kitchen.

Whether you’re looking to impress guests, enjoy a family dinner, or simply indulge in your favorite Italian dishes, these recipes are designed to deliver authentic flavors with straightforward preparation.

Embrace the art of Italian cooking and make your mealtime a special event every time you cook. Enjoy the flavors, and don’t forget to share the love and deliciousness with others!