Calling all Italian food lovers! The Olive Garden secret menu has been brushed off as nonexistent for years, but we did our digging and found super simple (and delicious) menu hacks you have to try. We’re here to tell you that you can, in fact, customize just about anything on the menu.
1. Switch up Your Sampler Platter
Olive Garden’s appetizer menu is full of appealing dishes, and their sampler platter is a great way to make everyone at your table happy. But if the platter on the menu isn’t perfect, you can ask your server to customize it. Ask for whatever apps you’d like—even double up on the family favorite. You’ll be digging into your dream sampler platter in no time.
Learn how to make Olive Garden’s breadsticks at home.
2. Create Creamy Minestrone
If you’re obsessed with the soup, salad and breadsticks, you need this Olive Garden secret menu hack. Customize your soup by asking for half a serving of potato soup and half a serving of made-from-scratch minestrone in the same cup (or bowl!). It really hits the spot.
If you’re craving the classic minestrone dish, check out this copycat Olive Garden minestrone soup.
3. ‘Tis Always the Season
Olive Garden is known for delicious and iconic seasonal dishes. There’s no need to mourn the changing of the menu, though. If the kitchen is stocked with the ingredients needed to make a special dish, the chefs will happily do so. For instance, the fan-favorite chicken fettuccine Florentine can be made year round! Just ask for chicken fettuccine with spinach.
4. Swap Your Sauce
If you love a certain combination of flavors, or a specific dish, but aren’t a fan of the sauce, this is the hack for you. Not only can you hold the sauce on any order, but you can also switch it out for your favorite one. Chicken Parmesan with Alfredo sauce, for example, makes for one cheesy meal.
5. Pick Your Protein
Similar to sauces, you’re free to add any protein to your dish. Whether you’d like to double up on chicken, swap beef for shrimp or anything else your tastebuds desire, the kitchen staff at Olive Garden are more than happy to accommodate. Also, learn how to make Asiago tortelloni alfredo with grilled chicken.
6. Chuck the Chicken
If you’re munching on a meal with your vegetarian (or vegan) pals, you can always nix the meat altogether. But if that has you feeling less than satisfied, you can also ask to double the vegetables. Most of the time they’ll do this free of charge since you’re not getting any meat.
7. Spruce up Your Salads
Like most restaurants, Olive Garden lets you add grilled chicken or shrimp to any salad. But did you know that you can ask for the Chicken Parm chicken on your salad instead? You can also request Shrimp Fritta on your salad to give it some extra crunch. This has to be the best Olive Garden secret menu hack we’ve heard about!
8. Try the Secret Sauce
Zeppoli is just one of the many dazzling desserts on this menu. While we’re big fans of the accompanying chocolate sauce, they have a secret raspberry sauce that’s available upon request. Other flavors are rumored to be at different locations.
9. Skip the Cheese
Whether you’re trying to lighten up your meals, or you really just can’t stomach dairy, you can ask your waiter or waitress to bring you your plate sans cheese. It’s such an easy fix.
10. Redo the Ravioli
The ability to perfect this hack depends on which Olive Garden you’re at, but at certain spots you can customize the ravioli. (Yes, really!) Whether you prefer one or two minor changes, or you’d like to customize the filling, the cooks will do everything they can to serve up the perfect plate. Keep in mind, some locations stuff their pasta first thing in the morning, so it’s not always doable.
Hungry for more? Cook your way through our roundup of Olive Garden copycat recipes!
Up Next: Copycat Olive Garden Soups, Salad and Breadsticks
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Cheese Ravioli
I love to bake and cook, especially Italian dishes like this homemade ravioli recipe. In fact, my idea of a perfect day consists of cooking my family's favorite foods then watching them dig in!—Lori Daniels, Hartland, Michigan. If you like this, learn how to make
Olive Garden's black tie mousse cake.
Get Our Recipe for Homemade Ravioli
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Breadsticks
Fresh, buttery and oh-so delicious, these copycat Olive Garden breadsticks taste just like the real deal. Plus, they can be on the table in less than an hour! —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Get Our Recipe for Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Fettuccine AlfredoThis easy Alfredo sauce is creamy, comforting and coats fettuccine noodles in fine fashion. This recipe is wonderful as is, but sometimes I like to add sliced fresh mushrooms and black olives that have been sautéed in butter and garlic. —Jo Gray, Park City, Montana
Inspired by: Chocolate Brownie Lasagna
Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna is truly something else. It’s one thing to have a brownie with tangy cream cheese frosting slathered on top (orÂ
swirled in the batter). It’s a whole other ball game to multiply that four times. —Molly Allen
Get Our Recipe for Chocolate Lasagna
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Five Cheese Ziti al FornoAfter having the five-cheese ziti at Olive Garden, I tried to make my own version of it—and I think I got pretty close. I always double this when I'm making it and freeze the second one for another meal. —Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, California
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Chicken Marsala
This classic recipe is a staple at Italian restaurants everywhere. Perhaps it’s the juicy, tender chicken breasts, or maybe it’s the flavorful, slightly sweet, mushroom wine sauce. Not to mention the side of creamy, dreamy fettuccine Alfredo. Whatever the reason, it’s a dish that we love to eatÂ
and love to make at home. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Get Our Recipe for Copycat Chicken Marsala
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Pasta e FagioliHere's an Italian favorite made easier by using prepared spaghetti sauce and canned broth for the flavorful base. —Cindy Garland, Limestone, Tennessee
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Lasagna ClassicoWant to know how to make lasagna for a casual holiday meal? You can't go wrong with this deliciously rich meat lasagna recipe. My grown sons and daughter-in-law request it for their birthdays, too. —Pam Thompson, Girard, Illinois
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Sicilian Cheesecake with Strawberry ToppingThe creamy texture and lovely look of this strawberry cheesecake always get compliments. —L.C. Herschap, Luling, Texas
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Chicken ParmigianaMy husband used to order chicken parmigiana at restaurants for years. I found this cheesy chicken parmesan recipe in our local newspaper, adjusted it for two and began making this at home. After 50 years of marriage, I still enjoy making his favorite recipes. -Lola Butler, Sun City, California
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Toasted RavioliWhile visiting a friend who had just moved to St. Louis, Missouri, I tried these toasted ravioli at almost every restaurant! When I got home, I had to try to replicate them, and this recipe comes pretty close. —Cristina Carrera, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Raspberry LemonadeHere's a concentrate that allows you to enjoy a refreshing summer beverage any time of year. Sweet raspberries balance the tartness from lemons. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Giant Cheese Stuffed ShellsMore cheese, please! You'll get your fill from saucy jumbo pasta shells loaded with four kinds—ricotta, Asiago, mozzarella and cottage cheese. Do the prep work, and then freeze according to the recipe directions to have a ready-to-bake meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Shrimp AlfredoI make this spicy shrimp pasta a lot because it's a something my family never seems to get tired of. The sauce is so fast to make I can get it done while the fettuccine is cooking. In the past, I have added red peppers and spinach, but who's to say you could not add mushrooms or more or less spice. —Stephanie Beluk, Sharpsburg, Georgia
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Chicken & Gnocchi SoupI tasted
chicken gnocchi soup at Olive Garden and wanted to see if I could re-create it myself at home. Here's the delicious result! It's wonderful on a cool evening. —Jaclynn Robinson, Shingletown, California
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Marinara Dipping SauceMy mother, who was Italian American, called marinara sauce "gravy." She made this marinara sauce recipe in big batches several times a month, so it was a staple on our dinner table. A mouthwatering aroma filled the house each time she cooked it. —James Grimes, Frenchtown, New Jersey
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Italian MargaritaWith this amaretto margarita, add a touch of Italian flair to the classic lime drink. —James Schend,
Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Herb-Grilled SalmonMy roasted salmon is so simple but elegant enough to serve to company. I make it on days when I have less than an hour to cook. The salmon seasoning is an easy way to add flavor. —Luanne Asta, Hampton Bays, New York
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Famous House SaladAntipasto ingredients are sliced and diced to make this substantial chop salad. I like to buy sliced meat from the deli and chop it all up so you can get a bit of everything in each bite. —Kim Molina, Duarte, California
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Eggplant ParmigianaWe really like eggplant and would rather have it baked than fried. This can be served as a side dish or main dish. —Donna Wardlow-Keating, Omaha, Nebraska
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Minestrone Soup
It’s hard to not go overboard when you’re at Olive Garden. From the Never Ending Pasta Bowls to the all-you-can-eat breadsticks andÂ
tiramisu for dessert, it’s pretty much a carbapalooza. Luckily, for people who want a lighter option, there’s Olive Garden minestrone soup. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Get Our Recipe for Minestrone
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Spaghetti with Meat SauceMy homemade spaghetti sauce got rave reviews, but it was so time-consuming to make on the stovetop. My family loves this flavorful slow-cooker version. —Arlene Sommers, Redmond, Washington
Inspired by: Olive Garden's TiramisuInstead of using coffee and rum, I let cinnamon shine in this tiramisu. It's best if eaten within two days—if it even lasts that long! —Cathy Geniti, Saratoga Springs, New York
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Grilled Chicken MargheritaI invented this roast chicken to prove goat cheese really is delish. I served it to my skeptical family without telling them, and they gobbled it up. But any soft cheese will do. —Gilda Lester, Millsboro, DE
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Seafood AlfredoMy guests usually can't believe I prepared this meal myself. The rich, creamy main dish features plenty of seafood flavors with a hint of garlic and lemon. Frozen peas and a jar of Alfredo sauce make it a simple supper that will be requested time and again. —Melissa Mosness, Loveland, Colorado
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Rotini with Meat SauceMy husband loves pasta; I cringe over the messy dishes. On Spaghetti Day, as he calls it, I make a one-pot saucy rotini that keeps everyone happy. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Alfredo Dipping SauceWhen I found out I had celiac disease and couldn't have fettuccine Alfredo, I was determined to figure out a way to re-create it. I mix this homemade alfredo sauce with gluten-free multigrain pasta, but you can use any style of pasta. —Jackie Charlesworth Stiff, Frederick, Colorado. You can use this sauce to make
Asiago tortelloni alfredo with grilled chicken.
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Spaghetti & MeatballsOne evening, we had unexpected company. Since I had the ingredients on hand, I made this spaghetti and meatballs recipe. Everyone raved! This classic recipe makes a big batch and is perfect for entertaining. —Mary Lou Koskella, Prescott, Arizona
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Spaghetti with Traditional Marinara and Sautéed ShrimpFlavorful marinara sauce simmers for just a few hours. Right before mealtime, toss in the shrimp to cook quickly. Serve over hot spaghetti for a delicious weeknight dish that feels dressed up. —Sue Mackey, Jackson, Wisconsin
Inspired by: Olive Garden's Warm Italian DoughnutsLight, crispy pastry puffs, sopaipillas are a sweet way to round out a spicy meal. They make a nice winter dessert served warm and topped with honey or sugar. —Mary Anne McWhirter, Pearland, Texas
Up Next: Copycat Olive Garden Soups, Salad and Breadsticks
