Nothing screams comfort food quite like Olive Garden. Is it real Italian food? No. Do we care that the slightly overcooked pasta and milk-based sauces would make our nonna cry “Mamma mia!?” Not really—it’s delicious regardless. Sure, the chain’s very-Americanized fare is the butt of a few jokes, but don’t pretend like you don’t salivate at the thought of a heaping plate of gooey, cheesy, saucy Olive Garden pasta.
I had the opportunity to get a taste of every entrée at the OG. While I won’t be comparing these dishes to the straight-from-the-motherland recipes I grew up eating, I picked out which ones were the most worthwhile. Don’t bother with the lasagna classico, the Tour of Italy, or—dare I say it—even the soup, salad, and breadsticks. These are the tastiest meals at Olive Garden, bar none.
Ravioli Carbonara
If you expect real carbonara at Olive Garden, you’re going to be disappointed. So quit being an Italian food purist and enjoy this deliciously savory, creamy pasta. This sauce looks and tastes a lot like bacon-loaded Alfredo, and the cheesy raviolis make it even more creamy and rich. My favorite part is—you guessed it—even more dairy in the form of a toasty layer of cheese topping the entire dish. Only order this if you’re really, really hungry.
Shrimp Scampi
Honestly, I expected a weak scampi at the OG, but I was pleasantly surprised here. The sauce was zesty and citrusy balanced out by more than enough garlic and not too much butter. There was definitely actual wine in there, too. I would have liked some larger shrimp, but Olive Garden didn’t skimp out on these little morsels, and they weren’t overcooked! (If you ask me, one of the biggest chain restaurant faux pas is overcooked shellfish).
Chicken Tortelloni Alfredo
Anything covered in Olive Garden’s Alfredo sauce is going to be a win in my book, but this tortelloni dish takes the cake. And no, that’s not a typo. Tortelloni is essentially just extra-large tortellini, usually stuffed with vegetarian filling. In this case, they’re stuffed with Asiago cheese and covered in breadcrumbs for a nice texture boost. The chicken is tender and moist, too—again, only opt for this pasta bake if you feel like you could eat a house.
Stuffed Chicken Marsala
If you’re looking for something a little less, shall we say, absolutely drenched in cream and cheese, the stuffed chicken marsala is a great option. I anticipated a bland sauce, but I was shocked by the earthy, fresh mushroom flavor. Plus, the tender chicken is stuffed with just the right amount of cheese for a balanced yet deeply savory dish. Add some extra black pepper to really bring the sauce to life.
Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo
Flavor fiends absolutely have to opt for the Steak gorgonzola Alfredo at Olive Garden. I used to not prefer Alfredo sauce—I always felt like it was a little boring and needed a boost. Gorgonzola cheese is exactly the boost it needs, and paired with steak (an iconic duo) this is the understated star of the Olive Garden menu. Spinach and sun-dried tomatoes finish off the dish with all the garden-fresh brightness and sweet zing it needs to be complex and delicious. Ask for your steak medium-rare—trust me.
