9 Best Olive Garden Copycat Recipes

Olive Garden was one of my favorite restaurants for the longest time. Tim and I would frequently go there in our early married years, especially when I was pregnant. For some reason, I craved Olive Garden all the time when pregnant! Over the years, it became my mission to create the same recipes at home so my whole family could enjoy them anytime.

I know Olive Garden is a super popular restaurant among so many of you, too. It’s one of those tried-and-true chain restaurants. From their bottomless soup and salad deal (c’mon…Olive Garden salad dressing is so good!) to their endless list of pasta, there’s a little something for everyone. So, here’s nine of the best Olive Garden copycat recipes to satisfy your craving and save some money in your wallet.

9 Best Olive Garden Copycat Recipes

Here you’ll find my nine best Olive Garden copycat recipes. Some are super similar to the original, while others contain a delicious twist you’re going to love.

1. One-Pot Zuppa Toscana Soup

This one-pot zuppa toscana is nearly identical to the taste of the original. It features medium Italian sausage, kale, yellow onions, potatoes, and loads of garlic. This is by far my favorite Olive Garden copycat recipe on the list! If you like a bit of a spicier flavor, swap in spicy Italian sausage or add in a few dashes of red pepper flakes.

2. Minestrone Soup

A vegetarian soup that eats like a meal! This classic minestrone has all the traditional ingredients – carrots, celery, zucchini, onions, kidney beans, canned tomatoes, spices, and herbs. Serve it in a big bowl with freshly grated Parmesan cheese or romano cheese.

3. Chicken Gnocchi Soup

This creamy, decadent soup is packed full of tender chicken breast, gnocchi, and chopped spinach. While store-bought gnocchi is always an option (Trader Joe’s has a great version!), make a batch of homemade gnocchi if you’re feeling ambitious.

4. Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Tender, juicy shrimp are tossed with fettuccine noodles and creamy Alfredo sauce. Despite the minimal ingredients list, this pasta dish doesn’t skimp on rich flavors. What’s even better? This dish comes together in 30 short minutes!

5. Chicken Mushroom Fettuccine Alfredo

This fettuccine packs an entire serving of vegetables in each bowl. It’s the perfect way to sneak some produce onto the plates of picky eaters. There are also two ways to elevate the flavors in this dish: 1) add in crisped-up bacon bits or 2) swap in grilled chicken to add a bit of smokiness.

6. Easy Alfredo Sauce (5-Minutes)

Skip on the bottled Alfredo sauce and make your own in just 5 minutes. The kicker? You only need 5 ingredients – heavy whipping cream, butter, Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, and garlic parsley salt! If you’re a canning whiz, you can make a huge batch and have homemade Alfredo on hand for months.

7. Easy Garlic Knots Recipe

While these aren’t an exact replica of Olive Garden breadsticks, they are just as delicious. Serve them as appetizers alongside marinara sauce dip or as a side dish to pasta or salad. They are also super easy to freeze, making them perfect for meal prep. Make them with a store-bought premade pizza dough, or make them from scratch using this simple homemade pizza dough recipe.

8. Pasta e Fagioli

This was the soup I craved so badly when I was pregnant with Jacob. Going out weekly didn’t do favors on our wallet, so I made this olive garden copycat recipe, and boy was it a winner! I’m excited for you to try this soup full of beef, veggies, pasta, and beans.

9. Breadsticks (Olive Garden Copycat)

Some people go to Olive Garden for the soup, some for the pasta, some for the salad, and some go for the breadsticks. They really are that good! Give these homemade olive garden copycat breadsticks a go and I know you’ll be hooked.

More Tasty Italian Dishes

• Chicken Mushroom Marsala (One-Pot) – Classic chicken marsala in wine sauce
• Pasta Bolognese (One-Pan) – Ground beef and red sauce pasta
• Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe – Flat Italian bread with herbs and olive oil
• Meatball Kale Soup Recipe – Juicy meatball and kale soup in chicken broth