20 Olive Garden Copycat Recipes

Love Olive Garden but want to save money? These Olive Garden Copycat Recipes bring the restaurant home. You can make your favorites anytime.

No need to wait for a table. No tipping required either. Just delicious Italian food in your kitchen.

These recipes taste just like the real thing. They use simple ingredients you can find anywhere. Let’s start cooking!

1. Breadsticks

These famous breadsticks are warm and buttery. They’re soft inside with a golden crust. Perfect for dipping in marinara sauce.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 tbsp sugar
1 packet yeast
3/4 cup warm water
2 tbsp butter

Instructions: Mix flour, sugar, and yeast in bowl. Add warm water slowly. Knead dough for 5 minutes. Let rise 30 minutes. Shape into sticks. Bake at 400°F for 12 minutes. Brush with melted butter.

2. Alfredo Sauce

This creamy sauce is rich and dreamy. It coats pasta perfectly every time. Better than any jar you’ll buy.

Ingredients:

1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup butter
1 cup parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves
Salt and pepper

Instructions: Melt butter in pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute. Pour in heavy cream. Simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in parmesan cheese until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Chicken Gnocchi Soup

This soup is creamy and comforting. It’s loaded with tender chicken and gnocchi. Perfect for cold winter nights.

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken breast
1 package gnocchi
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups spinach

Instructions: Cook chicken and dice it small. Boil gnocchi according to package directions. Heat broth in large pot. Add chicken and cooked gnocchi. Stir in cream and spinach. Simmer 10 minutes until hot.

4. Zuppa Toscana

This Italian sausage soup warms your soul. It has potatoes, kale, and creamy broth. One bowl is never enough.

Ingredients:

1 lb Italian sausage
4 potatoes, sliced
1 bunch kale
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream

Instructions: Brown sausage in large pot. Add sliced potatoes and broth. Boil until potatoes are tender. Stir in chopped kale. Add heavy cream last. Simmer 5 minutes before serving.

5. Salad Dressing

This Italian dressing is tangy and sweet. It makes any salad taste amazing. You’ll never buy bottled again.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup white vinegar
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup corn syrup
2 tbsp parmesan cheese

Instructions: Whisk all ingredients in bowl. Mix until completely smooth. Refrigerate for 1 hour before using. Shake well before pouring on salad.

6. Five Cheese Ziti

This pasta bake is cheesy heaven. Five different cheeses make it extra special. It’s comfort food at its best.

Ingredients:

1 lb ziti pasta
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup ricotta
1 cup mozzarella
1/2 cup parmesan

Instructions: Cook ziti until al dente. Mix with marinara and ricotta. Pour into baking dish. Top with mozzarella and parmesan. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes.

7. Chicken Parmigiana

Crispy chicken topped with melted cheese. Marinara sauce makes it extra saucy. Serve over spaghetti for classic meal.

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 cups marinara
1 cup mozzarella

Instructions: Pound chicken flat. Dip in beaten egg. Coat with breadcrumbs completely. Fry until golden brown. Top with marinara and cheese. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.

8. Stuffed Mushrooms

These appetizers are always a hit. They’re filled with savory cheese mixture. Pop them in your mouth whole.

Ingredients:

12 large mushrooms
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup parmesan
2 garlic cloves
2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions: Remove mushroom stems and chop them. Mix stems with breadcrumbs and cheese. Add minced garlic and oil. Stuff mixture into mushroom caps. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.

9. Shrimp Scampi

Garlicky shrimp in buttery sauce. Lemon adds a bright fresh taste. Serve with pasta or crusty bread.

Ingredients:

1 lb shrimp
4 tbsp butter
4 garlic cloves
1/4 cup white wine
1 lemon

Instructions: Melt butter in large skillet. Add minced garlic and cook briefly. Toss in cleaned shrimp. Pour in wine and lemon juice. Cook until shrimp turn pink. Serve immediately while hot.

10. Minestrone Soup

This vegetable soup is healthy and hearty. It’s packed with beans and pasta. Great for meal prep too.

Ingredients:

4 cups vegetable broth
1 can kidney beans
2 carrots, diced
1 zucchini, diced
1/2 cup small pasta

Instructions: Heat broth in large pot. Add diced carrots first. Cook 5 minutes until softening. Add zucchini and beans. Stir in pasta last. Simmer 10 minutes until done.

11. Lasagna Classico

Layers of pasta, meat, and cheese. This lasagna feeds a hungry crowd. Make it ahead for easy dinner.

Ingredients:

1 box lasagna noodles
1 lb ground beef
2 cups ricotta
3 cups marinara
2 cups mozzarella

Instructions: Brown ground beef and drain fat. Cook lasagna noodles until tender. Layer noodles, meat, ricotta, and sauce. Repeat layers two more times. Top with mozzarella cheese. Bake covered at 375°F for 45 minutes.

12. Eggplant Parmigiana

Breaded eggplant slices with melted cheese. A delicious vegetarian main dish. Just as good as chicken version.

Ingredients:

1 large eggplant
1 cup flour
2 eggs
2 cups marinara
1 cup mozzarella

Instructions: Slice eggplant into 1/2 inch rounds. Dip in flour, then beaten eggs. Fry until golden on both sides. Layer in baking dish with sauce. Top with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.

13. Chicken Marsala

Tender chicken in rich mushroom sauce. Marsala wine gives it special flavor. Elegant enough for dinner parties.

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts
1 cup mushrooms
1/2 cup marsala wine
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tbsp butter

Instructions: Pound chicken thin and season well. Brown in hot pan until cooked. Remove and set aside temporarily. Sauté mushrooms in same pan. Add wine and broth. Return chicken and simmer 5 minutes.

14. Tiramisu

This Italian dessert is coffee-flavored perfection. Layers of cream and soaked cookies. Incredibly easy to make at home.

Ingredients:

1 package ladyfinger cookies
1 cup strong coffee
8 oz mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup sugar
Cocoa powder

Instructions: Mix mascarpone with sugar until smooth. Dip ladyfingers quickly in coffee. Layer cookies in dish. Spread mascarpone cream over cookies. Repeat layers one more time. Dust top with cocoa powder. Refrigerate 4 hours.

15. Bruschetta

Toasted bread topped with fresh tomatoes. Garlic and basil make it pop. Perfect appetizer for any occasion.

Ingredients:

1 baguette
3 tomatoes, diced
2 garlic cloves
Fresh basil
2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions: Slice baguette into 1/2 inch pieces. Toast until lightly golden brown. Mix diced tomatoes with minced garlic. Chop basil and add to mixture. Drizzle with olive oil. Spoon onto toasted bread slices.

16. Fettuccine Alfredo

Classic pasta dish that’s creamy perfection. Simple ingredients make restaurant-quality meal. Kids absolutely love this one.

Ingredients:

1 lb fettuccine pasta
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup butter
1 cup parmesan
Black pepper

Instructions: Cook fettuccine according to package directions. Melt butter in large pan. Add cream and bring to simmer. Stir in parmesan until melted smooth. Toss cooked pasta in sauce. Season with fresh black pepper.

17. Meatballs

Big, tender meatballs in marinara sauce. Perfect for spaghetti or sub sandwiches. Make extra and freeze them.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
1/4 cup parmesan
1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions: Mix all ingredients in large bowl. Form into golf ball sized portions. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes. Or simmer in marinara sauce. Serve over pasta with extra cheese.

18. Pasta Fagioli

Hearty bean and pasta soup. Ground beef makes it extra filling. Better than any canned soup.

Ingredients:

1/2 lb ground beef
1 can kidney beans
1 can diced tomatoes
3 cups beef broth
1/2 cup small pasta

Instructions: Brown ground beef in pot. Add beans, tomatoes, and broth. Bring to a boil. Add pasta and reduce heat. Simmer 10 minutes until pasta tender.

19. Calamari

Crispy fried squid rings. Light and not too greasy. Serve with marinara for dipping.

Ingredients:

1 lb calamari rings
1 cup flour
1 tsp paprika
Oil for frying
Lemon wedges

Instructions: Pat calamari rings completely dry. Mix flour with paprika. Coat rings in seasoned flour. Fry in hot oil 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot with lemon wedges.

20. Lemon Cream Cake

Light cake with sweet lemon flavor. Cream cheese frosting tops it off. Perfect ending to Italian meal.

Ingredients:

1 box white cake mix
1/4 cup lemon juice
8 oz cream cheese
2 cups powdered sugar
Lemon zest

Instructions: Prepare cake mix adding lemon juice. Bake according to package directions. Let cool completely before frosting. Beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and lemon zest. Frost cooled cake generously.