Allergens in Olive Garden Italian Kitchen Menu
The next time you’re planning a quick stop at Olive Garden Italian Kitchen, check this comprehensive guide to the list of allergens in the pasta, salad, bread sticks and other menu items.
This food guide is based on information provided from the restaurant, which in turn also relies on information from its suppliers. Our free guide details which foods contain the most common allergens: eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.
The first section below provides a brief overview of the nine major allergens that commercial food processors are required to declare when foods are made with certain ingredients.
If you’re already comfortable with the list of allergens and understand the risk of cross-contamination, click the jump button below to skip directly to the list of allergens in Olive Garden’s Menu.
Brief Overview of Food Allergens
Regulations set by the United States Food & Drug Administration require commercial food processors to disclose when major allergens, including eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soybeans, tree nuts, and wheat are used in packaged food products.
Many large chain restaurants such as Olive Garden elect to disclose allergens in their foods to help ensure the safety of their customers.
Highly refined oil, even if derived from a particular allergen group, is exempted from federal regulation. For example, refined soybean oil is not considered a common allergen.
Cross Contamination
Many foods are cooked in small spaces, common kitchen and preparation areas, and with shared equipment. Fried menu items, for example, are almost always cooked in a shared fryer with oil used to cook various types of food.
As a result, even food products made without specific ingredients such as nuts, fish, or wheat may contain or come into contact with allergens through cross contamination.
Olive Garden Allergen Information
The following section is a list of foods (by menu category) served at Olive Garden made with one or more of the nine major allergens.
Ingredients information is sourced from Olive Garden and based on menu options at restaurant locations in the United States.
Olive Garden uses highly refined canola oil or highly refined soy oil in fried food products. Highly refined oils may contain a residual soy protein, but levels are extremely low and considered non allergenic.
Appetizers
Here is the list of allergens in tasty appetizer dishes served at Olive Garden.
Allergens in Olive Garden Appetizers
| MENU ITEM | ALLERGENS |
|---|---|
| Calamari | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Shellfish, Soy, Wheat (calamari cooked in shared fryer) |
| Fried Mozzarella | Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat (cheese cooked in shared fryer) |
| Lasagna Fritta | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat (appetizer cooked in shared fryer) |
| Meatballs Parmigiana | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat |
| Shrimp Fritto Misto | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Shellfish, Soy, Sulfites, Wheat (shrimp cooked in shared fryer) |
| Spinach-Artichoke Dip with Flatbread Crisps | Gluten, Milk, Wheat (appetizer cooked in shared fryer) |
| Stuffed Ziti Fritta | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat (appetizer cooked in shared fryer) |
| Toasted Ravioli | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat (appetizer cooked in shared fryer) |
Soup, Salad and Breadsticks
Here is the list of allergens in Olive Garden’s popular bread sticks, soups, and salads.
Allergens in Soup, Salad & Breadsticks
| MENU ITEM | ALLERGENS |
|---|---|
| Breadsticks with Garlic Topping | Gluten, Soy, Wheat |
| Salad with Signature Italian Dressing | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Sulfites, Wheat |
| Chicken & Gnocchi Soup | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Sulfites, Wheat |
| Minestrone Soup | Gluten, Soy, Sulfites, Wheat |
| Pasta Fagioli Soup | Gluten, Soy, Wheat |
| Stellini Soup | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat |
| Zuppa Toscana Soup | Milk |
Pasta
Guests who seek a pasta sauce made without any of the common allergens should choose tomato sauce. Allergen-free pasta topping options include Italian sausage and seasoned broccoli.
The following table lists food allergens in Olive Garden pasta dishes.
Allergens in Create Your Own Pasta Options
| MENU ITEM | ALLERGENS |
|---|---|
| Angel Hair | Gluten, Wheat |
| Fettuccine | Gluten, Wheat |
| Gluten-Free Rotini | Eggs |
| Rigatoni | Gluten, Wheat |
| Small Shells | Gluten, Wheat |
| Spaghetti | Gluten, Wheat |
| Alfredo Sauce | Milk, Gluten, Wheat |
| Creamy Mushroom Sauce | Milk, Gluten, Soy, Sulfites, Wheat |
| Five Cheese Marinara Sauce | Milk, Gluten, Soy, Wheat |
| Marinara | Soy |
| Meat Sauce | Soy |
| Crispy Chicken Fritta | Milk, Gluten, Wheat (chicken cooked in shared fryer) |
| Grilled Chicken | Chicken cooked on shared grilled |
| Meatballs | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat |
| Sauteed Shrimp | Shellfish, Sulfites |
Entrees
Here is a list of Olive Garden’s Entrees that are made with eggs, milk, shellfish, wheat, or other common allergens.
Allergens in Olive Garden Entrees
| MENU ITEM | ALLERGENS |
|---|---|
| Four-Cheese Manicotti | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat |
| Three-Meat Manicotti | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat |
| Cheese Ravioli without sauce | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Wheat |
| Cheese Ravioli with Marinara Sauce | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat |
| Cheese Ravioli with Meat Sauce | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat |
| Chicken & Shrimp Carbonara | Gluten, Milk, Shellfish, Soy, Sulfites, Wheat |
| Chicken Alfredo with Grilled Chicken | Gluten, Milk, Wheat (chicken cooked on shared grill) |
| Chicken Alfredo with Crispy Chicken Fritta | Gluten, Milk, Wheat (chicken cooked in shared fryer) |
| Chicken Parmigiana | Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat (chicken cooked in shared fryer) |
| Chicken Scampi | Gluten, Milk, Soy, Sulfites, Wheat |
| Chicken Tortelloni Alfredo | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat (chicken cooked on shared grilled) |
| Eggplant Parmigiana | Eggs, Gluten, Soy, Wheat (eggplant cooked in shared fryer) |
| Fettuccine Alfredo | Eggs, Gluten, Wheat |
| Five Cheese Ziti al Forno | Eggs, Gluten, Soy, Wheat |
| Grilled Chicken Margherita | Eggs, Gluten, Soy, Sulfites, Wheat (chicken cooked on shared grill) |
| Herb-Grilled Salmon | Milk, Fish (salmon cooked on shared grilled) |
| Lasagna Classico | Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat |
| Ravioli Carbonara | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat |
| Seafood Alfredo | Gluten, Milk, Shellfish, Sulfites, Wheat |
| Shrimp Alfredo | Gluten, Milk, Shellfish, Sulfites, Wheat |
| Shrimp Carbonara | Gluten, Milk, Shellfish, Sulfites, Wheat |
| Shrimp Scampi | Gluten, Milk, Shellfish, Soy, Sulfites, Wheat |
| Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce | Gluten, Soy, Wheat |
| Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce & Meatballs | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat |
| Spaghetti with Meat Sauce | Gluten, Soy, Wheat |
| Spaghetti with Meat Sauce & Meatballs | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat |
| Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo | Gluten, Milk, Sulfites, Wheat (steak cooked on shared grill) |
| Stuffed Chicken Marsala | Gluten, Milk, Soy, Sulfites, Wheat (chicken cooked on shared grill) |
| Sirloin | Gluten, Milk, Wheat (steak cooked on shared grill) |
| Tour of Italy | Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat (entree cooked in shared fryer) |
Dairy-Free Entrees
Nearly all of the entrees at Olive Garden are made with dairy.
For lactose-sensitive guests or individuals who simply want to avoid eating dairy, here is a quick summary of suggested dishes to order at Olive Garden restaurant.
Kids Entrees
Kids meals are served with 1% low fat milk and a side dish such as fries, grapes, or steamed broccoli.
All of the kids combo meal options contain gluten, milk, and wheat. The cheese ravioli is also made with eggs.
Here is the list of allergens declared for the Kids Menu.
Allergens in Kids Entrees at Olive Garden
| MENU ITEM | ALLERGENS |
|---|---|
| Cheese Ravioli | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Wheat |
| Cheese Pizza | Gluten, Milk, Wheat |
| Pepperoni Pizza | Gluten, Milk, Wheat |
| Chicken Fingers | Gluten, Wheat (chicken cooked in shared fryer) |
| Macaroni & Cheese | Gluten, Milk, Wheat |
Side Dishes
Although french fries are not made with any of the common allergens, the steak-cut potatoes are fried in common oil and cooked in a fryer that’s also used to cook other foods.
Here is the list of allergens in mashed potatoes, vegetables, meatballs, and other side dishes offered at Olive Garden.
Allergens in Olive Garden Side Dishes
| MENU ITEM | ALLERGENS |
|---|---|
| Seasoned Asparagus | Milk |
| French Fries | Fries are cooked in a shared fryer |
| Italian Sausage | Soy |
| Mashed Potatoes | Milk, Soy |
| Meatballs with marinara | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat |
| Seasoned Vegetables | Milk |
| Parmesan Garlic Broccoli | Milk |
| Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce | Gluten, Wheat |
Desserts
Here is the list of allergens for Olive Garden’s Dessert menu.
Allergens in Olive Garden Desserts
| MENU ITEM | ALLERGENS |
|---|---|
| Almond Biscotti | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Wheat |
| Black Tie Mousse Cake | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat |
| Chocolate Lasagna | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat |
| Sicilian Cheesecake with Strawberry Topping | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat |
| Strawberry Cream Cake | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Wheat |
| Tiramisu | Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat |
| Warm Italian Doughnuts | Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat (donuts cooked in shared fryer) |
| Chocolate Sauce Topping | Milk |
| Mint Candy | Milk, Soy |
This guide is for general informational purposes only. Fast food chains and food suppliers may alter recipes without notice. Check the nutrition section of Olive Garden’s website, call guest relations at 1-800-331-2729, or ask a manager at the restaurant for the most up-to-date list of potential allergens. Neither Nutrition & Ingredients nor its staff assume any responsibility for individuals with food allergies. Consult your physician for health and dietary advice based on your individual needs.
The listed allergens for each menu item in this food guide are based on standard formulations, include any sauces, and exclude any substitutions.
Olive Garden Italian Kitchen staff may take great care to follow strict safety procedures during food preparation. However, the restaurant cannot guarantee safe food options.
Normal kitchen operations have limited space. Accordingly, food is prepared on shared cooking equipment. Menu items may contain or come into contact with common allergens during the preparation, cooking, and serving process due to cross contact.
Moreover, recipes, ingredients, and product formulations change without notice and may vary by location and by supplier.
Individuals with food sensitivities should discuss their concerns with the manager at the local restaurant.
FAQs
Ingredients, allergens, and nutrition facts are based on available information as of the date this article was published and/or updated. Restaurants and food manufacturers may change their recipes without notice. Check directly with the food provider for the most accurate and up-to-date information. NutritionandIngredients.com does not provide health or wellness advice or dietary recommendations. Our aim is to research commercially processed food and publish articles for informational purposes only. Unless otherwise stated, % Daily Value is based on 2,000 calories per day, but calorie needs vary by individual. Always consult your physician for any healthcare or dietary advice.
Allergens, ingredients, and nutrition information source: Olive Garden