Top 5 Most Popular Dishes You Must Try at Olive Garden

Exploring the Tastiest and Most Popular Menu Items at Olive Garden

When you think of Italian food, one of the first restaurant chains that likely comes to mind is Olive Garden. As one of the largest Italian restaurant chains in the United States, Olive Garden has become synonymous with hearty portions, unlimited breadsticks, and family-friendly dining.

With its mix of classic Italian-American dishes and more authentic recipes straight from Italy, Olive Garden's extensive menu has options to suit just about every taste. However, some standout dishes have risen to fame among Olive Garden's loyal customers.

Read on for a countdown of the top 5 most popular, beloved dishes at Olive Garden and why they merit a space at the top of the menu.

#5 - Shrimp Scampi Fritta

Kicking off our list at #5 is a dish that brings together a classic preparation of shrimp with an extra crispy twist. Olive Garden's Shrimp Scampi Fritta takes the traditional concept of shrimp scampi, which typically features shrimp sauted in garlic, lemon and butter sauce, and innovation takes it to the next level.

The dish starts with jumbo shrimp coated in batter and breadcrumbs before being fried up to achieve a wonderfully crisp texture on the outside while maintaining plump and juicy shrimp on the inside. The fried shrimp are then tossed with Olive Garden's signature lemon garlic sauce, sprinkled with Romano cheese and served atop a bed of spinach fettuccine.

The contrast of the crunchy shrimp exterior and the tangy, rich garlic sauce, when twirled amongst the pasta, is a flavor combination that has earned this dish consistent rave reviews from Olive Garden fans. It manages to feel indulgent yet still relatively light at the same time, cementing its spot among the top contenders.

#4 - Zoodles Primavera

As more people opt for lower-carb alternatives to traditional pasta dishes, Olive Garden put its own spin on a vegetable-based pasta substitute with the Zoodles Primavera. "Zoodles" takes everyone's favorite spiralized veggie - zucchini - and turns it into noodle form to create a lighter foundation for sauce and toppings.

Olive Garden's Zoodles Primavera features these zucchini noodles coated in a scrumptious primavera cream sauce, comprised of olive oil, vegetables, garlic, chicken broth and heavy cream. On top, you'll find sauted shrimp, red peppers, zucchini, mushrooms and grape tomatoes for a rainbow of colors and flavors in every bite.

Customers who want all the taste of a decadent pasta dish without all the carbs have flocked to this menu item. It maintains the creamy, comforting factor but allows you to feel less guilty thanks to a serving of veggies. The shrimp adds extra protein to keep you feeling full and satisfied as well.

#3 - Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno

When you've got an appetite for indulgence, nothing on the Olive Garden hits the spot quite like their Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno. This rich, cheesy pasta casserole takes Olive Garden's classic baked ziti recipe and amplifies it - not just with more cheese, but more flavor as well.

The dish starts with penne pasta and Olive Garden's homemade marinara sauce before being topped with five Italian cheeses - Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, Fontina and Mozzarella. The molten cheese-capped dish is then baked and finished off with more melted mozzarella for good measure.

The combination of textures from the baked pasta, smooth sauce and gooey, melted cheese makes this dish feel like an upscale, elevated version of classic macaroni and cheese. It's downright craveable. In fact, many customers claim this single dish is the number one reason they come back to Olive Garden over and over again.

#2 - Lasagna Classico

What list of Olive Garden's most popular menu items would be complete without the inclusion of their Lasagna Classico? This dish takes everything you know and love about classic lasagna and manages to make it even better thanks to Olive Garden's ultra-flavorful beef Bolognese sauce and secret blend of cheeses folded throughout each layer.

Customers consistently praise this lasagna for achieving the ideal balance of components in each bite - tender pasta sheets, rich and meaty sauce, and gooey, melted cheese. It really is the quintessential preparation of everyone's favorite Italian comfort food.

The fact that Olive Garden allows you to add even more melted cheese on top through their "add extra cheese" option only increases the crave factor of this dish. Lasagna Classico earns high marks across the board.

#1 - Fettuccine Alfredo

Topping our list as Olive Garden's #1 most sought-after dish is none other than their Fettuccine Alfredo. Creamy, buttery, rich and perfect - Fettuccine Alfredo from Olive Garden sets the gold standard when it comes to executed this quintessential Italian favorite.

Olive Garden starts with their fresh fettuccine pasta and tosses it with a special Alfredo sauce crafted from olive oil, butter, cream and parmesan cheese. The result is a smooth, decadent sauce that clings perfectly to each fettuccine noodle. They finish it off with salt, pepper and extra grated Parmesan.

Customers simply cannot get enough of this classic Olive Garden specialty, with many claiming it's their "go-to" dish every time or that no other restaurant makes alfredo sauce quite as flavorful and velvety as Olive Garden.

It's the ultimate comfort food and a tried-and-true crowd pleaser.

Quality Ingredients Make All the Difference

Across all of Olive Garden's most popular menu items, you'll find high quality ingredients that enhance flavor in every bite. From jumbo shrimp to imported Italian cheeses to olive oil-based sauces, these dishes simply wouldn't taste the same without Olive Garden's commitment to ingredient quality.

Combined with skilled culinary techniques that allow for each component of a dish to properly marry and balance, it's easy to see why so many people keep coming back to Olive Garden for their favorite Italian recipes made right.

On your next visit, see which of these beloved dishes you fall in love with and begin adding to your regular Olive Garden rotation.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.