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 final section of this report provides a brief overview of the nine major allergens that commercial food processors are required to declare when foods are made with certain ingredients.

Table of select Olive Garden menu items with indicators marking food allergens. — ^{Allergens in select Olive Garden meals}

Olive Garden Allergen Information

The following section is a list of foods 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.

Recipes and food product formulations may change without notice or differ by location. Individuals with food sensitivities or allergies should inform the restaurant manager before placing their order.

Appetizers

Here is the list of allergens in tasty appetizer dishes served at Olive Garden.

Allergens in Olive Garden Starter Plates

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)

All of the appetizers, with the exception of meatballs parmigiana, are cooked in a common fryer and may contain any or all allergens as a result of cross contamination with other foods.
All of the appetizers contain gluten.
Appetizers are not dairy-free.
Shrimp Fritto Misto contains sulfites.

Soup, Salad and Breadsticks

Chicken & Gnocchi is a cream-based soup with roasted chicken, Italian dumplings, and spinach.
Stellini Soup is a Mediterranean style soup made with mini star-shaped pasta, carrots, celery, and onion. It’s a regional item available only at select locations.
For a gluten-free lunch, choose Zuppa Toscana made with spicy Italian sausage, kale, and russet potatoes.

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

Breadsticks are dairy-free.
Minestrone soup and Pasta Fagioli soup are dairy-free.

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 Menu

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 is cooked in shared fryer)
Grilled Chicken	Chicken cooked on shared grilled
Meatballs	Eggs, Gluten, Milk, Soy, Wheat
Sauteed Shrimp	Shellfish, Sulfites

Crispy Chicken Fritta, one of the add-on options for pasta, is cooked in a common fryer.
Although the Grilled Chicken is not made with any of the major food allergens, it is cooked on a shared grill and as a result may come into contact and/or contain allergens.

Olive Garden bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. — ^{Olive Garden Pasta with Meatballs}

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 Meals

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)

Bowl of shrimp scampi pasta from Olive Garden. — ^{Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi contains milk, shellfish, soy, and wheat.}

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.

Select your preferred pasta (angel hair, fettuccine, rotini, rigatoni, shells, or spaghetti) with marinara, meat sauce, or tomato sauce. Top with grilled chicken, Italian sausage, sauteed shrimp, or broccoli
Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce is dairy-free
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce is dairy-free
Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce is dairy-free
Kids Chicken Fingers is a dairy-free meal (with the exception of the low-fat milk included with the combo meal)

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

Order a 6-ounce Sirloin to satisfy your craving for a gluten-sensitive hearty entree.

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

Olive Garden chocolate mousse cake. — ^{Olive Garden Chocolate Mousse Cake}

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IMPORTANT NOTE

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.

Cross contact with other foods, including gluten, may occur during the preparation of any meal. As such, even foods that are not directly made with a common allergen may contain allergens due to cross-contamination.

View Fast Food Menus with Prices

If you or someone in your group has food sensitivities or allergies, let the restaurant manager know before placing your order at Olive Garden. Be sure the kitchen staff is aware if you have any special dietary needs.

Pastas and dessert from Olive Garden restaurant. — ^{Olive Garden Pasta and Dessert}

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.

View Olive Garden Menu Prices

FAQs

Olive Garden provides a high level of transparency into the nutritional content of its menu items.

Visit the Nutrition page of Olive Garden’s website. From this page you can access the nutritional menu, up-to-date list of food allergies, vegan items, and gluten-friendly options.

Here is a short list of recommended resources that provide a plethora of information, research studies, and other helpful information about allergens in U.S. foods.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Review the information at Food Allergy Research & Education
Allergy & Asthma Network

Overview of FDA Guidelines

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.

Nutrition facts, prices, and ingredients are based on available information as of the date of publication. Restaurants and food manufacturers may change their recipes without notice. Check directly with the food provider for the most up-to-date information. NutritionandIngredients.com does not provide health or wellness advice or dietary recommendations. All reports and reviews published on this site are for informational purposes only. Unless otherwise stated, %DV is based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Always consult your physician for any healthcare or dietary advice.

Allergens, ingredients, and nutrition information source: Olive Garden

Food product images: Olive Garden. Original designs by Nutrition & Ingredients.