Olive Garden Catering Menu With Prices And Pictures

Planning a large gathering means reviewing Olive Garden’s catering menu, which lists family-sized entrees, sides, and desserts alongside their prices and photos. This Olive Garden Catering Menu With Prices And Pictures guide will help you order the right amount for your party without overspending.

You can feed a crowd with Olive Garden’s catering without breaking your budget. Their family-style meals come in trays that serve 8-10 people each. The prices are clear, and the pictures on their website show exactly what you will get.

Let me walk through every item on the menu, what each dish costs, and how to pick the best combination for your event. I will also share some insider tips to save money and avoid common mistakes.

Olive Garden offers a dedicated catering menu separate from their regular dining menu. You can order online or call your local restaurant at least 24 hours in advance. Most locations require 48 hours notice for large orders over 50 people.

The catering menu divides into four main categories: entrees, sides, salads and soups, and desserts. Each category has multiple options with set prices per tray. You can mix and match to create your perfect meal.

Family Size Entree Options And Pricing

Entrees are the heart of any Olive Garden catering order. Each tray serves 8-10 people and comes with your choice of pasta shape. Here are the current prices as of 2024:

Chicken Alfredo – $79.99 per tray. Creamy alfredo sauce over fettuccine with grilled chicken pieces.
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce – $69.99 per tray. Classic marinara with ground beef, served over spaghetti.
Chicken Parmigiana – $89.99 per tray. Breaded chicken cutlets topped with marinara and melted mozzarella.
Lasagna Classico – $89.99 per tray. Layers of pasta, ricotta, meat sauce, and mozzarella.
Fettuccine Alfredo – $69.99 per tray. Plain alfredo sauce without meat. Good for vegetarians.
Five Cheese Marinara – $69.99 per tray. Blend of five cheeses over marinara sauce.
Gluten Friendly Rotini with Marinara – $74.99 per tray. For guests with gluten sensitivity.

You can add extra grilled chicken to any pasta tray for $15.00 per tray. The pictures on the website show generous portions with visible cheese and sauce coverage.

Soup, Salad, And Breadstick Combos

Every catering order must include at least one salad or soup option. These come in half trays serving 8-10 or full trays serving 16-20 people.

Garden Fresh Salad – Half tray $29.99, Full tray $49.99. Includes lettuce, tomatoes, olives, onions, croutons, and two dressing choices.
Caesar Salad – Half tray $34.99, Full tray $54.99. Romaine lettuce with parmesan and croutons.
Soup (Minestrone or Chicken Gnocchi) – Half tray $34.99, Full tray $54.99. Comes in 64 oz containers.
Breadsticks – 12 pieces $12.99, 24 pieces $24.99. Always warm and brushed with garlic butter.

The pictures show salads tossed evenly with dressing on the side. Breadsticks come wrapped in foil to stay warm during transport.

Dessert Options For Sweet Endings

Olive Garden offers three dessert options for catering. Each serves 8-10 people:

Tiramisu – $39.99 per tray. Layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers with mascarpone cream.
Chocolate Brownie Lasagna – $44.99 per tray. Brownie layers with chocolate mousse and fudge.
Lemon Cream Cake – $39.99 per tray. Light lemon cake with cream filling.

The pictures show each dessert sliced neatly with visible layers. Tiramisu has a dusting of cocoa powder on top.

How To Order From The Catering Menu

Ordering is straightforward but requires some planning. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth experience:

Visit the Olive Garden catering page on their website.
Enter your zip code to find the nearest participating location.
Select your pickup date and time. Most locations require 24 hours notice.
Choose your entrees, sides, and desserts from the menu.
Add any extras like extra breadsticks or additional dressings.
Review your order and complete payment online.
Pick up at the designated time. Some locations offer curbside pickup.

You can also call the restaurant directly to place your order. This is helpful if you have special requests or dietary concerns. The staff can answer questions about portion sizes and ingredient lists.

Minimum Order Requirements

Olive Garden has a minimum order of $150 for catering. This means you need at least two trays of food. Most groups of 10-15 people will easily meet this minimum with one entree and one salad.

For larger groups, plan on one entree tray per 8-10 people. Add one salad or soup tray per 10-12 people. Dessert is optional but recommended for special occasions.

Payment And Tipping Guidelines

You can pay online with a credit card or debit card. Some locations accept cash at pickup but call ahead to confirm. A service charge of 18% is added for orders over $500. This goes to the staff preparing your order.

For orders under $500, tipping is optional but appreciated. A tip of 10-15% is standard for good service. You can add this when paying online or give cash at pickup.

Popular Catering Combinations

Based on customer reviews and Olive Garden’s recommendations, here are three popular combinations for different group sizes:

Small Gathering For 10-12 People

1 tray Chicken Alfredo – $79.99
1 half tray Garden Fresh Salad – $29.99
12 breadsticks – $12.99
Total: $122.97 (under minimum, add dessert or extra breadsticks)

Add a Tiramisu for $39.99 to bring the total to $162.96. This feeds 10-12 people with leftovers.

Medium Gathering For 20-25 People

2 trays Spaghetti with Meat Sauce – $139.98
1 full tray Caesar Salad – $54.99
24 breadsticks – $24.99
1 tray Chocolate Brownie Lasagna – $44.99
Total: $264.95

This combination offers variety and plenty of food. The meat sauce is a crowd-pleaser for both adults and kids.

Large Gathering For 40-50 People

3 trays Chicken Parmigiana – $269.97
2 trays Lasagna Classico – $179.98
2 full trays Garden Fresh Salad – $99.98
48 breadsticks – $49.98
2 trays Tiramisu – $79.98
Total: $679.89

This large order qualifies for the 18% service charge. Your final total will be approximately $802.27 with the service fee included.

What The Pictures Show You

Olive Garden’s website includes professional photos of each catering item. These pictures are helpfull for visualizing portion sizes and presentation. Here is what to look for in each photo:

Entree photos show pasta piled high in aluminum trays. The cheese is melted and bubbly on top. Chicken pieces are visible and evenly distributed. Sauces coat the pasta without drowning it.

Salad photos show crisp lettuce with toppings arranged on top. The dressing comes on the side in separate containers. This prevents the salad from getting soggy during transport.

Dessert photos show slices with clean edges. The layers are distinct and the toppings are evenly applied. Tiramisu photos show the cocoa powder dusting and cream layers clearly.

Breadstick photos show golden brown exterior with garlic butter glistening. They come in foil packs to maintain warmth and softness.

Comparing Catering To Regular Menu Prices

You might wonder if catering is cheaper than ordering individual meals. Here is a quick comparison:

A single Chicken Alfredo entree at the restaurant costs about $18.99. For 10 people, that would be $189.90. The catering tray costs $79.99 for the same amount of food. You save over $100 by choosing catering.

Breadsticks cost $2.49 each when ordered individually. The catering pack of 12 costs $12.99, saving you about $17 per dozen.

Desserts are similarly priced. A single slice of Tiramisu costs $8.99 at the restaurant. The catering tray with 10 slices costs $39.99, saving you about $50.

The savings are significant, especially for larger groups. Catering also saves you time since you dont have to wait for individual orders to be prepared.

Dietary Accommodations And Allergen Information

Olive Garden provides allergen information for all catering items. You can download the PDF from their website or ask the staff when ordering. Here are the main dietary options:

Vegetarian options: Fettuccine Alfredo, Five Cheese Marinara, Garden Fresh Salad, Minestrone Soup, all desserts.
Gluten friendly: Gluten Friendly Rotini with Marinara, Garden Fresh Salad (no croutons), Minestrone Soup.
Dairy free: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (no cheese), Garden Fresh Salad (no cheese, use oil and vinegar).

Note that Olive Garden does not guarantee any item is completely free of allergens. Cross-contamination is possible in the kitchen. Inform the staff of any serious allergies when placing your order.

Tips For A Successful Catering Experience

Based on customer feedback and my own experience, here are practical tips to make your catering order go smoothly:

Order at least 48 hours in advance for large groups. This ensures availability and gives the kitchen time to prepare.
Confirm pickup time and location the day before. Call the restaurant to verify your order is ready.
Bring a cooler or insulated bags for transport. Food stays warm for about 1-2 hours in the aluminum trays.
Reheat instructions: Transfer pasta to an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
Order extra breadsticks. They are cheap and everyone wants more than one.
Request dressing on the side for salads. This keeps them fresh longer.
Check the pictures on the website before ordering. They show the actual portion sizes and presentation.
Have serving utensils ready. The trays come with plastic lids but no serving spoons.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Many people make these errors when ordering Olive Garden catering. Avoid them to ensure a smooth experience:

Not ordering enough food. One tray serves 8-10 people as a main dish, but if you have heavy eaters, plan for 6-8 per tray.
Forgetting to order salad. Every catering order needs at least one salad or soup. Dont skip this.
Ignoring the minimum order requirement. You need at least $150 worth of food. Check your total before finalizing.
Not checking the pictures. The photos show you exactly what you will get. Use them to confirm your choices.
Waiting until the last minute. Order at least 24 hours ahead, preferably 48 hours for large groups.
Not reheating properly. Cold pasta is not good. Follow the reheating instructions for best results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the Olive Garden catering menu with prices and pictures online?

Yes, the full menu with prices and photos is available on Olive Garden’s catering website. You can browse all items, see portion sizes, and build your order online.

How far in advance do I need to order catering?

Olive Garden recommends ordering at least 24 hours in advance. For large orders over 50 people, order 48 hours ahead to ensure availability.

Does Olive Garden deliver catering orders?

Most locations do not offer delivery for catering. You must pick up your order at the restaurant. Some third-party services may deliver, but this varies by location.

Can I customize the catering menu items?

You can request modifications like extra sauce or no cheese, but major changes are not available. The menu is designed for efficiency and consistency.

What is the cancellation policy for catering orders?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before pickup for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours may incur a fee. Check with your local restaurant for their specific policy.

Final Thoughts On Ordering Catering

Olive Garden’s catering menu offers good value for feeding groups. The prices are reasonable, the portions are generous, and the pictures help you know what to expect. Plan ahead, order enough food, and follow the reheating instructions for the best experience.

Remember to check the minimum order requirement and add a dessert if you need to reach the $150 threshold. The Tiramisu and Chocolate Brownie Lasagna are both popular choices that guests enjoy.

If you have dietary restrictions, review the allergen information and communicate with the staff when ordering. They can help you find suitable options for your guests.

With a little planning, your Olive Garden catering order will be a success. The food is consistent, the prices are fair, and the convenience is hard to beat for large gatherings.