Welcome to the world of Olive Garden appetizers! Here, starters blend old classic Italian with new exciting twists. Crafted to excite your appetite, get you prepared for an unforgettable meal, Olive Garden offers variety and texture of flavors, each meant to give you a unique taste at one of America’s favorite Italian dining places.
Start your meal with Olive Garden’s Fried Mozzarella or Calamari. It is an excellent way to begin. Among the favorites there are Spinach-Artichoke Dip and Toasted Ravioli. Something for everyone to enjoy. These appetizers take your dining experience to another level.
Starring at between $7 and $12, starters at Olive Garden are prepared with the intent to stand out to give you the taste of finest Italian flavors. Whether you opt for 2 for $25 with your friend or go in for family style, make sure you order a few of the appetizers to go along.
Introduction to Olive Garden Appetizers
The appetizers of Olive Garden offer a very fine and varied set of options in which to kick-start your meal. Whether it’s cheesy delight or crispy pleasures, each bite brings the genuine taste of Italy.
The appetizers served in Olive Garden are both tasteful and very affordable. Appetizers range between 150 calories and 490 calories, ranging in price between $6.99 and $11.00. The overall calorie count in an average serving of appetizer is about 286, perfectly striking a balance between enjoyment and healthy eating.
| Appetizer | Calories | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Stuffed Mushrooms | 240 | $8.49 |
| Fried Calamari | 310 | $10.99 |
| Bruschetta | 150 | $7.99 |
| Spinach and Artichoke Dip | 360 | $9.49 |
| Italian Nachos | 490 | $10.49 |
| Fried Zucchini | 230 | $8.99 |
| Toasted Ravioli | 290 | $9.49 |
Classic Garlic Breadsticks
Classic Garlic Breadsticks is one of the favorite goodies of guests at Olive Garden, as they enjoy being baked fresh daily to give the best possible beginning to any meal.
Key Ingredients
The dough is straightforward, yet it bakes up fluffily right. They’re slathered with garlic butter immediately after baking and coated with a signature seasoning blend- how irresistible.
Nutritional Information
Each breadstick contains approximately 140 calories, thus they are guilt-free additions to your meal. You can indulge in these breadsticks without worrying about knocking your diet out of order.
Mouthwatering Fried Mozzarella
The Olive Garden appetizers menu contains a wide array of options; however, nothing beats the allure of Fried Mozzarella. It has become one favorite for many customers because of the irresistible taste and appeal it boasts. Olive Garden knows how to create dishes that leave a long-lasting impression.
Flavor Profile
Fried Mozzarella is the crispiest of the lot on the outside, with the cheese melting beautifully within. Coated in Italian herbs to give an added crunch and flavor, it blends well with the rich marinara sauce.
Caloric Information
| Component | Value | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Serving Size | 100g | |
| Calories | 320 | |
| Total Fat | 18.00 g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 9.0 g | 45% |
| Cholesterol | 60 mg | 20% |
| Sodium | 760 mg | 33% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 23.00 g | 8% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g | 4% |
| Total Sugars | 3 g | 0% |
| Protein | 12 g | 24% |
| Calcium | 320 mg | 25% |
| Iron | 0.6 mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 210 mg | 6% |
Stuffed Ziti Fritta Delight
The Stuffed Ziti Fritta, at Olive Garden, is out of this world with the awesome flavors and texture. Imagine a crispy ziti pasta filled with creamy cheese: it is something special to have as a starter.
Cheeses and Textures
The filling has five cheeses that include Mozzarella, Ricotta, Parmesan, Romano, and Asiago.
The crunchy shell of the ziti perfectly complements the soft melty cheese in the middle. The marinara and Alfredo sauces further enrich the dish. The marinara gives it that tangy, zesty kick of tomatoes while the Alfredo sauce adds that creaminess along with butteriness.
| Item | Calories | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Stuffed Ziti Fritta | 500 | $7.49 |
| Marinara Sauce | 45 | |
| Alfredo Sauce | 220 |
Crispy Calamari
Olive Garden’s crispy calamari has a crispy, golden crust through light breading and frying. It is offered with marinara and spicy ranch dressing on the side, which will give a delectable combination of crunch and zesty taste as a complement to this seafood appetizer.
The calamari is tender yet chewy, without being rubbery. The dipping sauces further enhance the appetizer, making it a great way to start any meal at Olive Garden.
| Item | Calories |
|---|---|
| Calamari | 670 cal |
| Marinara Sauce | 45 cal |
| Ranch Dressing | 250 cal |
Compared to the other products, the Crispy Calamari has less calorie. Fried Mozzarella and Lasagna Fritta have 860 and 1070 calories, respectively. For just $12.79, the Crispy Calamari is a deliciously affordable seafood delight.
Lasagna Fritta: A Cheesy Concoction
Another very special appetizer from Olive Garden is called Lasagna Fritta, fresh on a lasagna flavor. Rich lasagna flavors mixed with crunch of parmesan breading are presented with delightful mixes of texture and taste. This has been the favorite for many customers of Olive Garden.
Details and Ingredients
The parmesan-breaded pieces of lasagna are crispy-fried, then served with Alfredo and marinara sauce. The addition of ricotta and mozzarella makes it creamy in flavor. It’s also prepared well to ensure all pieces get golden at the right point.
Caloric Content
Each serving of Lasagna Fritta has around 1,070 calories, so this option is one of the richer options at Olive Garden. It is compared with other appetizers as follows:
| Appetizer | Calories |
|---|---|
| Lasagna Fritta | 1,070 |
| Calamari | 670 |
| Fried Mozzarella | 860 |
| Stuffed Ziti Fritta | 500 |
Although the Lasagna Fritta is rich, it is worth trying and becomes a great idea to start discovering the available options at Olive Garden.
Olive Garden Appetizers Menu Highlights
You could start your meal at Olive Garden with their rich appetizers menu. There’s a wide array of delicious offerings, including the Garlic Breadsticks and Lasagna Fritta. Each item is prepared with love, which makes your trip to Olive Garden all the more special.
For an appetizer, there is something for everyone at any price, whether $4.99 or up to $14.29. You can enjoy Calamari for $12.99 or Spinach-Artichoke Dip for $11.79, and many more delicious choices. These can be enjoyed along with others or eaten by themselves.
Here’s just a bit of an overview of some appetizers at Olive Garden:
| Appetizer | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Garlic Breadsticks | $4.99 | 140 Cal |
| Stuffed Ziti Fritta | $10.29 | 500 Cal |
| Fried Mozzarella | $9.79 | 800 Cal |
| Calamari | $12.99 | 670 Cal |
| Lasagna Fritta | $11.99 | 1130 Cal |
| Toasted Ravioli | $10.49 | 650 Cal |
There is the Appetizers Menu, which includes the Weekday Lunch Special at $9.99. Available from Monday to Friday, it serves soup, salad, and breadsticks—a very light yet satisfying meal with only 400 calories.
This restaurant is perfect for family-style dining. Lasagna Fritta and Fried Mozzarella are two of the dishes that they have, almost guaranteeing something to suit the taste of everyone present. It is a great way to bring people together.
Popular Choices: Toasted Ravioli
Toasted Ravioli is the number one favorite at Olive Garden. It is crispy on the outside and savory on the inside and captures the flavors of Italy perfectly. Many customers love this appetizer, and it has become a fan favorite through its great taste and texture, which often brings joy to those who experience it.
Ingredients and Serving
The beef and Italian sausage filling is special-toasted ravioli, along with herbs blended together. It’s fried until crispy and golden in each piece and served with flavorful marinara sauce. That becomes a delicious combination of a crunchy exterior and a savory, flavorful interior.
It is often available in the Create a Sampler Italiano, which allows consumers to try two or three appetizers, including the Toasted Ravioli. Prices for the sampler range from $11.99 to $14.29, giving diners the chance to enjoy some of the Olive Garden favorites.
Shrimp Fritto Misto
If a variety of seafood has been ordered by one’s company at Olive Garden, then everyone would surely get hooked on a good Shrimp Fritto Misto served along with that seafood. Red bell peppers, tender shrimp and red onions form an excellent coated crispy batter ensemble and when put on the tangy marinara sauce, no doubt it satisfies everybody’s tongues for sure as well. Recommended for sharing around, it certainly kick-starts one’s visit to Olive Garden very well.
Seafood Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll find in the Shrimp Fritto Misto:
- Raw medium shrimp (over a pound, approximately 16 oz)
- Red bell peppers
- Red onions
- Dry breading mixture (2 Tbsp cornstarch, 2 Tbsp ground cornmeal, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour)
- Spicy ranch sauce (1/4 cup creamy ranch dressing, 1 Tbsp cherry pepper spread, 3 Tbsp parmesan cheese, 3 Tbsp Olive Garden dressing)
- Frying oil (2-3 cups heated to 350°F)
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 158 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 15 g |
| Protein | 10 g |
| Total Fat | 6 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.01 g |
| Cholesterol | 75 mg |
| Sodium | 1368 mg |
| Potassium | 133 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Vitamin A | 607 IU |
| Vitamin C | 10 mg |
| Calcium | 64 mg |
| Iron | 1 mg |
Decadent Spinach-Artichoke Dip
The Spinach-Artichoke Dip at Olive Garden is to die for. It’s warm, creamy with fresh spinach, artichokes, and lots of cheese. Just the right thing in a shared sort of appetizer with the delicate balance of flavors and textures.
Spinach-Artichoke Dip is a standout menu item at $14.79, packing 1160 calories per serving. The richness of the ingredients and the portion size contribute to its calorie count. It’s served with fresh pita flatbread, making it a great way to start any meal.
| Item | Calories | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Spinach-Artichoke Dip | 1160 | $14.79 |
| Calamari | 670 | $15.79 |
| Lasagna Fritta | 1130 | $15.79 |
| Stuffed Ziti Fritta | 500 | $12.79 |
| Toasted Ravioli | 650 | $12.79 |
Conclusion
They offer a wide array of appetizers that cater to varied tastes and preferences-from crispy and savory options like Fried Mozzarella and Calamari to rich and creamy choices like Spinach-Artichoke Dip and Lasagna Fritta. Olive Garden has it all, priced from $4.99 to $15.79, making it suitable for all the different appetites you may want to satisfy-light snack or more substantial start to your meal. These appetizers are perfect for sharing or being eaten alone; hence Olive Garden is an appropriate destination for both casual and celebratory dining with family and friends.
FAQs
What are some of the most popular appetizers at Olive Garden?
Some of the most popular appetizers include Fried Mozzarella, Calamari, Stuffed Ziti Fritta, Toasted Ravioli, Spinach-Artichoke Dip, and Lasagna Fritta.
How much do the appetizers at Olive Garden cost?
Prices for appetizers at Olive Garden range from $4.99 to $15.79, depending on the dish.
Are the appetizers at Olive Garden suitable for sharing?
Yes! Many of Olive Garden’s appetizers are designed for sharing, such as the Create a Sampler Italiano, which lets you try two or three appetizers in one order.
Can I order the Weekday Lunch Special as an appetizer?
While the Weekday Lunch Special ($9.99) includes soup, salad, and breadsticks, it’s typically considered a light lunch rather than an appetizer. It’s a great option for a fulfilling midday meal.
How many calories do the appetizers at Olive Garden have?
The calorie count for appetizers varies. For example, the Spinach-Artichoke Dip has 1160 calories, while the Stuffed Ziti Fritta has 500 calories. Generally, appetizers range from 140 to 1130 calories.
Can I customize my appetizers?
Olive Garden allows some customization for appetizers, such as swapping sauces or modifying toppings. It’s always a good idea to ask the server for any specific requests.
Are there vegetarian or gluten-free appetizer options at Olive Garden?
Yes! Some appetizers, like the Spinach-Artichoke Dip and Toasted Ravioli (vegetarian), can be modified for gluten-free diets. It’s best to check with the restaurant staff for specific dietary accommodations.
Does Olive Garden offer any family-style appetizer options?
Yes, Olive Garden offers family-style dining options, where you can share larger portions of appetizers like Lasagna Fritta or Fried Mozzarella, perfect for group meals.