Last updated: October 14, 2026. Yes, Olive Garden caters. Meal Combinations start at $13.75 per person (each serves 8–14), the Create Your Own Pasta Station starts at $13.50 per person, and pans for 4–6 people run about $42–$65. Delivery has a $100 minimum and a 10% fee up to $500, and you need to order by 5 PM the day before. After fees, tax and tip, plan on about $17–$18 per person.
We hadn't been inside an Olive Garden in more than ten years, so we ordered Olive Garden catering for our team to see how it holds up. Below is the full menu with prices, a cost calculator, our photos, and what we'd order again. Prices come from Olive Garden's catering site and our own order, and they vary by location, so confirm with your local restaurant.
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Olive Garden Catering Menu with Prices (2026)
Olive Garden's catering menu has three parts: Meal Combinations, the Create Your Own Pasta Station, and à la carte pans. It doesn't offer individually boxed meals.
| Item | Serves | Price | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal Combinations (Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna, Chicken Alfredo and more), with salad, breadsticks and dessert | 8–14 | From $13.75 per person | From $13.75 |
| Create Your Own Pasta Station: 2 pastas, 3 sauces, 3 toppings, salad, breadsticks | Multiples of 10 | From $135 per 10 guests | From $13.50 |
| Chicken Alfredo pan | 4–6 | $64.99 | $10.83–$16.25 |
| Shrimp Scampi pan | 4–6 | $61.99 | $10.33–$15.50 |
| Five Cheese Ziti al Forno pan (vegetarian) | 4–6 | $42.49 | $7.08–$10.62 |
| Bottled wine (8 white and rosé options) | – | $24.75–$27.75 per bottle | – |
| Delivery | – | $100 minimum; 10% fee up to $500, 5% after | – |
Olive Garden Meal Combinations (Groups of 8–14)
Meal Combinations are where Olive Garden catering works best. Each one serves 8–14 people, which suits small offices and medical practices. "Pharmaceutical Presentation" is the second occasion on Olive Garden's catering order form. Combinations include an entrée, house salad, breadsticks and dessert, starting at $13.75 per person.
Chicken Parmigiana Combination
Breaded chicken in marinara with spaghetti, house salad, breadsticks and a dessert, typically cheesecake or tiramisu.
Lasagna Combination
Layers of pasta, meat sauce and Italian cheeses, with salad, breadsticks and dessert.
Combinations are the easiest way to order for a work lunch. You give up some choice compared with building your own order from pans. For cheaper Italian from local restaurants, see CaterCow's Italian pasta buffet options.
Olive Garden Pasta Bar (Create Your Own Pasta Station)
The Create Your Own Pasta Station is Olive Garden's pasta bar. Guests build their own plates from two pastas, three sauces and three toppings. It comes with house salad, breadsticks, chafing dishes and Sterno.
- Price: from $13.50 per person
- Group size: sold in multiples of 10 guests
- Example build: penne with marinara, fettuccine with Alfredo, plus grilled chicken, meatballs and Italian sausage
The pasta bar is the most popular choice for corporate events because it gives guests variety and something to do. Something natural happens when two colleagues catch up in the pasta line.
Olive Garden Party Trays and Pans (À La Carte)
Olive Garden's party trays are its à la carte pans. Each serves 4–6 people. Prices from our order:
- Chicken Alfredo: $64.99
- Shrimp Scampi: $61.99
- Five Cheese Ziti al Forno: $42.49 (a good vegetarian pick)
Pans work for small groups, and you can combine several for a larger party. The full restaurant menu is available for catering too, so you can add specific dishes your team wants on top of a bundle.
Olive Garden Catering Salad and Breadsticks
House salad and breadsticks come with every combination and the pasta bar, and you can order extra. The salad packaging was the surprise of our order: the lid has a well for the Italian dressing and a separate compartment for croutons so they don't get soggy on the way.
How Much Does Olive Garden Catering Cost? (Calculator)
Estimated totals using Meal Combinations at $13.75 per person, Olive Garden's delivery fee (10% of the first $500, then 5%), 8% sales tax and a 10% tip. Your tax rate and local prices will differ.
| Guests | Food | Delivery fee | Tax + tip | Total | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 people | $138 | $14 | $25 | $176 | $17.60 |
| 20 people | $275 | $28 | $50 | $352 | $17.60 |
| 50 people | $688 | $59 | $124 | $871 | $17.41 |
| 100 people | $1,375 | $94 | $248 | $1,716 | $17.16 |
The per-person cost drops slightly for big orders because the delivery fee falls to 5% above $500. To save the delivery fee entirely, choose pickup.
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Olive Garden Catering Drinks and Wine
Non-alcoholic drinks come by the gallon or in 2-liter bottles. We'd skip them: they're expensive for what you get, probably because they're bulky to deliver.
Wine is a better deal. Olive Garden catering offers eight white and rosé wines, all between $24.75 and $27.75 a bottle.
Dietary Options and Allergens
Olive Garden Gluten-Free Catering Options
- Pasta: gluten-sensitive penne can be substituted on request.
- Sauces: marinara, meat sauce and Alfredo are made without gluten.
- Salad: order the house salad without croutons.
Cross-contact is possible in Olive Garden kitchens, so guests with severe allergies should tell the restaurant when ordering.
Olive Garden Vegetarian and Vegan Choices
Most pastas can be made without meat. The vegetarians in our group were happy with fettuccine Alfredo, salad and breadsticks. Vegetarian entrées include Cheese Ravioli, Five Cheese Ziti and Eggplant Parmigiana. Vegan options are limited, though you can ask for dishes without cheese.
Olive Garden Catering Labels
If you're ordering for an office or a group with dietary needs, know that the labels are basic. They name the dish but don't list ingredients, allergens or dietary tags. Ours were stuck to the box lids, so once the lids came off, guests didn't know what they were looking at. "Is that marinara or Bolognese?" one person asked.
Our Olive Garden Catering Review
We ordered Olive Garden catering for a group of eight. Everyone liked the food, and the presentation was even better than we expected.
- Best dish: the creamy Alfredo was the crowd favorite. I kept going back for the sausage, which reminded me of my own family's Italian cooking.
- Portions: there was much more food per person than our recent Panera catering order, and nobody left feeling sluggish. (Here's our Panera catering guide.)
- Packaging: the salad container, with separate spots for dressing and croutons, is a real improvement.
- Delivery: our driver, Linda, was friendly and set everything up neatly. She put the breadsticks on top of the hot trays to keep them warm.
- Weak spot: labels. See above.
Olive Garden vs. Carrabba's Catering
Olive Garden and Carrabba's both cater Italian-American food. Olive Garden wins on price and volume: pasta-heavy packages with salad and breadsticks make it a budget pick for large groups. Carrabba's has a broader menu, with wood-grilled meats, better proteins and more inventive appetizers and desserts such as Sogno di Cioccolata. Choose Olive Garden for value and comfort food, or Carrabba's for variety.
How to Order Olive Garden Catering
- Online: order at OliveGarden.com/catering and choose pickup or delivery.
- Phone: call your local restaurant to talk to its catering specialist.
- In person: handy for custom requests like gluten-sensitive pasta.
Order by 5 PM for next-day delivery. Same-day catering isn't offered online, but your local restaurant may be able to help by phone.
Delivery Fees and Minimums
- Minimum: $100 before tax for delivery. Pickup has no minimum.
- Delivery fee: 10% of the order up to $500, then 5% of every dollar after.
- Range: delivery is generally available within about 10 miles of the restaurant.
- Included: serving utensils, graters, table covers and Sterno.
- Setup: included for non-residential orders. At homes, drivers usually drop off only; our driver said the Pasta Bar is the exception.
Some locations set their own terms. When we checked in early 2026, the New York location we priced had a $100 minimum plus a 15% fee on orders under $500, and a Chicago location had a $75 minimum.
Our driver arrived 15 minutes early. That worried us, but she pointed out that the Sterno keeps food hot for about two hours.
Setup Tips
- Timing: schedule delivery 30–60 minutes before you eat.
- Presentation: serve straight from Olive Garden's chafing dishes.
- Leftovers: have to-go containers ready, because guests will ask.
Is Olive Garden Catering Right for You?
Olive Garden catering balances price and quality. It's a strong pick for a group that wants familiar, filling food without much planning. For a corporate event, choose the Pasta Station. For an office lunch, the Chicken Parmigiana or Lasagna Combination is the safe bet.
If you need individual meals, labels for dietary needs, or group ordering where everyone picks their own dish, local Italian restaurants on CaterCow are a better fit: New York City Italian catering, Los Angeles Italian catering, Chicago Italian catering, San Francisco Italian catering, Boston Italian catering, Washington, DC Italian catering, Austin Italian catering, Seattle Italian catering, Denver Italian catering, or browse all Italian catering.
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Looking for savings? See our Olive Garden catering coupons and promo codes, and earn more with the CaterCow rewards program.
Olive Garden Catering FAQs
Does Olive Garden do catering?
Yes. Olive Garden caters from most U.S. locations, with delivery or pickup. Delivery has a $100 minimum and you need to order by 5 PM the day before.
How much is Olive Garden catering per person?
Meal Combinations start at $13.75 per person and the Create Your Own Pasta Station starts at $13.50 per person. With delivery fees, tax and a tip, expect to pay about $17–$18 per person.
How much is Olive Garden catering for 100 people?
About $1,375 in food at $13.75 per person, or roughly $1,716 with the delivery fee, 8% tax and a 10% tip. That works out to about $17.16 per person.
How much Olive Garden catering should I order for 20 guests?
Order two Meal Combinations (each serves 8–14), two rounds of the Pasta Station (sold in multiples of 10), or three to four pans (each serves 4–6) plus extra salad and about three dozen breadsticks.
Is there an Olive Garden pasta bar for catering?
Yes. The Create Your Own Pasta Station is Olive Garden's pasta bar: two pastas, three sauces and three toppings, with salad, breadsticks, chafing dishes and Sterno included. It starts at $13.50 per person in multiples of 10.
Does Olive Garden deliver catering the same day?
Online catering orders need to be in by 5 PM for next-day delivery. For a same-day order, call your local restaurant and ask whether they can fit it in.
Does Olive Garden provide staff to serve catering?
No. Olive Garden catering is drop-off. Setup is included for non-residential orders, but no one stays to serve. It also doesn't offer individually boxed meals labeled with each guest's name.
Are there discounts on Olive Garden catering?
Olive Garden's catering site has advertised free delivery with the code OGDELIVERS. Separately, CaterCow gives a $100 Olive Garden gift card with your first CaterCow order of $100 or more. See our Olive Garden catering promo codes page for each city's code.
Does Olive Garden have gluten-free catering options?
Yes. Gluten-sensitive penne can be substituted, and the marinara, meat sauce and Alfredo are made without gluten. Order the house salad without croutons. Olive Garden kitchens aren't allergen-free, so tell them about severe allergies.
What desserts come with Olive Garden catering?
Meal Combinations include dessert, typically tiramisu, cheesecake or chocolate cake. Desserts can also be added by the tray.
Disclaimer: CaterCow is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Olive Garden or Darden Restaurants. "Olive Garden" is a trademark of its owner and is used here for informational purposes only. Prices were checked in 2026 and vary by location. Gift card offers are provided by CaterCow, are subject to availability, and may change or end at any time.
