Why Choose Olive Garden Catering for Your Next Party?

Olive Garden has quietly become one of the best-value catering options in America. Whether you’re planning an office lunch, birthday party, graduation celebration, or holiday gathering, their catering menu offers restaurant-quality Italian food at prices that significantly undercut dedicated catering companies. A full spread for 20 people can cost as little as $200 — that’s $10 per person for multiple courses including breadsticks, salad, and a hearty entree.

The secret to Olive Garden catering’s popularity is consistency. Every tray is prepared fresh at your local restaurant using the same recipes and ingredients as their dine-in menu. You’re not getting a watered-down “catering version” — you’re getting the exact same Chicken Alfredo and Lasagna Classico that people order every day, just in larger quantities.

Complete Olive Garden Catering Menu & Prices (2026)

Olive Garden’s catering menu is divided into three main categories: entree trays, sides, and add-ons. Here’s the full breakdown:

Entree Trays (Each Serves 4–6 People)

• Fettuccine Alfredo: $39.99 — their signature creamy Alfredo sauce over fettuccine, made fresh daily
• Chicken Alfredo: $49.99 — fettuccine Alfredo topped with grilled chicken breast strips
• Chicken Parmigiana: $54.99 — breaded chicken cutlets with marinara and melted mozzarella over spaghetti
• Lasagna Classico: $49.99 — layers of pasta, meat sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella
• Five Cheese Ziti al Forno: $44.99 — baked ziti with five Italian cheeses and marinara
• Spaghetti with Meat Sauce: $39.99 — the classic, always a crowd-pleaser
• Eggplant Parmigiana: $44.99 — a vegetarian-friendly option with breaded eggplant

Sides & Starters

• Famous House Salad (serves 6–8): $29.99 — the iconic salad with Olive Garden’s signature Italian dressing
• Caesar Salad (serves 6–8): $29.99 — crisp romaine with Caesar dressing and croutons
• Breadsticks (12 count): $9.99 — warm, buttery, and garlic-seasoned
• Soup (serves 4–6): $24.99 — choose from Zuppa Toscana, Chicken Gnocchi, Pasta e Fagioli, or Minestrone

Dessert Trays

• Tiramisu (serves 4–6): $29.99 — classic layered espresso-soaked ladyfingers
• Chocolate Brownie Lasagna (serves 4–6): $29.99 — rich chocolate layers with fudge

How to Order Olive Garden Catering

Ordering is straightforward and can be done three ways:

1. Online (Easiest)

Visit olivegarden.com, click “Catering” in the top menu, select your location, and build your order. You’ll see real-time pricing, can schedule pickup or delivery, and pay online. This is the fastest method and lets you review your entire order before submitting.

2. By Phone

Call your local Olive Garden directly and speak with a catering coordinator. This is ideal for large events (30+ people) where you may want personalized recommendations or special requests. Ask for the “catering manager” — most locations have a dedicated person for large orders.

3. In-Person

Walk into any Olive Garden and place your catering order at the host stand. They’ll provide a paper menu and can walk you through options. This works well if you want to taste-test items before committing to a large order.

Catering Tips for the Best Experience

Order 48–72 Hours Ahead for Large Events

While Olive Garden can accommodate same-day catering for small orders, giving them 2–3 days ensures they have all ingredients prepped and your trays are ready exactly when you need them. For events with 50+ guests, call at least a week ahead.

Budget Planning: Cost Per Person

Here’s a realistic budget breakdown for different party sizes:

• 10 people: 2 entree trays + 1 salad + breadsticks = ~$130 ($13/person)
• 20 people: 4 entree trays + 2 salads + 2 breadstick trays = ~$250 ($12.50/person)
• 50 people: 10 entree trays + 4 salads + 5 breadstick trays = ~$600 ($12/person)

Compare that to hiring a dedicated caterer at $25–$40/person, and the savings are massive.

Best Dishes for Large Groups

Some dishes travel and hold heat better than others. Our recommendations:

• Best overall: Lasagna Classico — holds shape perfectly, reheats well, universally loved
• Best for kids: Fettuccine Alfredo — no spice, creamy, always a hit
• Best for mixed dietary needs: Order one Eggplant Parm tray alongside a Chicken Parm tray
• Skip for catering: Seafood dishes — shrimp and fish don’t hold well in trays

Keeping Food Warm

If you’re picking up and serving later, the aluminum trays can go directly into a 200°F oven to stay warm. Olive Garden also sells disposable chafing dish setups ($15) that keep trays hot for 2–3 hours using Sterno fuel — perfect for buffet-style service.

Pickup vs. Delivery

Pickup is free and available at all 900+ locations. Your order will be packaged and ready at the time you specify. Pull up to the restaurant and they’ll often help you load trays into your vehicle.

Delivery is available at most locations for a flat fee (typically $10–$25 depending on distance). The driver will bring everything inside and set it up on your table. For large events, delivery is worth the fee — carrying 10 hot aluminum trays is no joke.

Stacking Discounts on Catering Orders

Smart shoppers can save 20–30% on catering orders by combining these strategies:

• Buy Costco gift cards: Get Darden/Olive Garden gift cards at 20% off face value, then pay for your catering with them
• eClub coupons: Sign up for the Olive Garden eClub and use your welcome coupon on catering orders
• Corporate accounts: If you order catering regularly for work events, ask about Darden corporate pricing — some locations offer 10–15% off for repeat business customers

Browse the complete 2026 menu or find your nearest Olive Garden to start your catering order today.