Olive Garden Catering Menu 2026
Olive Garden offers full-service catering for events of all sizes — office lunches, holiday parties, birthday celebrations, graduation dinners, family reunions, and more. Their catering menu features the same beloved dishes from the restaurant, scaled up into shareable pans. Items come in two sizes: Small (serves 6-8) and Large (serves 12-15), making it easy to scale for any group size.
Olive Garden catering is one of the most popular catering options in casual dining for good reason: the food is familiar, universally loved, and priced competitively at roughly $12-15 per person. When you factor in the quality and portion sizes, it’s hard to find better value for group dining.
How Catering Pans Work
Each catering pan comes with serving utensils, making setup easy. You can mix and match different items to create a complete spread. Here’s the general pricing structure:
Entree Pans
- Fettuccine Alfredo: Small $52.99 (6-8) / Large $92.99 (12-15)
- Chicken Alfredo: Small $62.99 (6-8) / Large $102.99 (12-15)
- Chicken Parmigiana: Small $68.99 (6-8) / Large $112.99 (12-15)
- Five Cheese Ziti al Forno: Small $48.99 (6-8) / Large $88.99 (12-15)
- Lasagna Classico: Small $52.99 (6-8) / Large $92.99 (12-15)
- Spaghetti with Meat Sauce: Small $42.99 (6-8) / Large $78.99 (12-15)
Salads & Sides
- Famous House Salad: Small $32.99 (6-8) / Large $52.99 (12-15)
- Caesar Salad: Small $36.99 (6-8) / Large $58.99 (12-15)
- Breadsticks (12 count): $10.99
Best Items for Catering
After years of catering experience reported by event planners, here are the best items to order:
- Five Cheese Ziti al Forno: The #1 recommended catering item. It’s the cheapest entree pan ($48.99 small), it’s vegetarian-friendly, and virtually everyone loves baked cheesy pasta. It also holds heat well during transport and buffet setup.
- Fettuccine Alfredo: The classic crowd pleaser that pairs well with everything. Order it alongside a meat-based dish for variety. It reheats easily if needed.
- Chicken Parmigiana: The premium option for special events where you want to impress. The chicken comes pre-cut for easy serving.
- House Salad: Always order at least one pan to balance the heavy pasta dishes. The dressing comes on the side.
- Breadsticks: Order extra bags — they’re cheap at $10.99 per dozen and everyone loves them. Budget 2-3 breadsticks per person.
How to Plan Your Order
Here’s a simple formula for determining what to order based on group size:
- 10 people: 1 small entree pan + 1 small salad + 1 bag breadsticks = ~$95-110
- 20 people: 2 large entree pans (different dishes) + 1 large salad + 2 bags breadsticks = ~$230-270
- 30 people: 3 large entree pans (3 different dishes) + 2 large salads + 3 bags breadsticks = ~$350-400
- 50+ people: Call the restaurant directly for custom pricing and planning assistance
General rule: budget $12-15 per person for a satisfying spread with variety.
How to Order
- Visit olivegarden.com/catering or call your local Olive Garden directly
- Select your items and pan sizes based on your group size
- Choose pickup or delivery (delivery fee varies by distance)
- Place your order at least 24-48 hours ahead — more notice is better for large orders
- Specify any dietary needs or special requests
Pickup vs. Delivery
- Pickup: Free — drive to the restaurant and they’ll load everything into your car. Call when you’re 10 minutes away so they can have it ready.
- Delivery: Additional fee based on distance (typically $15-30). A team member delivers and sets up. Worth it for large orders or office events where you can’t leave.
Pro Tips for a Great Catering Experience
- Order more than you think: Running out of food at an event is worse than having leftovers. Olive Garden pasta reheats well the next day.
- Get two different entrees: Variety is key. One cream-based (Alfredo) and one marinara-based (Chicken Parm or Lasagna) covers all preferences.
- Always get salad and breadsticks: They round out the meal and keep costs down since they’re the cheapest items.
- Ask about dessert pans: Some locations offer dessert catering trays for events
- Confirm your order 24 hours before: Call the restaurant the day before to verify everything is on track
Find Olive Garden Catering Near You
Catering is available at all 900+ Olive Garden locations. Use our location finder to find the nearest restaurant for your catering needs. For individual dining prices, see our complete 2026 menu guide.