Vegan Options at Olive Garden    – Get Set Vegan (2024)

Finding it tricky to navigate the limited vegan and vegetarian options at Olive Garden? Don't worry, we've got you covered.

Olive Garden, a popular Italian-American chain, is beloved for its cozy family atmosphere and generous portions. Famous for its endless breadsticks and hearty pasta dishes, it offers a taste of Italy right in your neighborhood. With a commitment to hospitality, Olive Garden welcomes guests to enjoy traditional favorites and new specialties alike.

Eating vegan at Olive Garden can be a challenge, with limited choices on the menu. But, if you're out with family and looking for something to eat there, we can guide you to a satisfying meal, even with slim pickings.

Vegan Options Olive Garden

Finding vegan menu options at Olive Garden is easy and safe, thanks to their transparent approach. This restaurant is among the few that clearly state vegan and vegetarian choices on their website. They assure customers that navigating the menu according to dietary restrictions is straightforward, and their staff is ready to assist in every way possible. These vegan items are

Breadsticks

Olive Garden's breadsticks are a signature part of their dining experience. Warm, freshly baked, and seasoned with a savory blend of garlic and salt, they are often what guests look forward to the most.

The famous breadsticks at Olive Garden are indeed vegan, including the garlic topping. These breadsticks are offered unlimited with most meals, ensuring that every visit is filled with their comforting and delicious taste.

Minestrone Soup

Olive Garden's Minestrone Soup is a flavorful, vegan friendly choice, packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta in a tomato broth. It's an ideal light meal or starter, especially alongside their unlimited salad and breadsticks. Nutritious and satisfying, it's a delicious way to enjoy a classic Italian soup.

House Salad

Olive Garden's House Salad features a crisp blend of lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, and pepperoncini, topped with croutons and parmesan, dressed in their signature Italian dressing. A classic favorite, it pairs wonderfully with unlimited breadsticks for a refreshing start to your meal.

To make It vegan you must order it without parmesan, Italian dressing and croutons. Ask them to dress your salad in oil and vinegar.

Entrées

Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce and Rotini with Marinara are the only pasta dishes that vegans can relish at Olive Garden, given that all other pasta sauces contain meat or dairy. Fortunately, nearly all pasta types offered are vegan, allowing for the possibility of pairing them with either marinara or kids' tomato sauce to create a vegan-friendly meal. Thus, vegan pasta options include:

• Angel Hair
• Fettuccine
• Rigatoni
• Small Shells
• Spaghetti

Gluten-Free Rotini is not vegan as it has eggs as an ingredient.

Create Your Own Pasta

To enjoy the delicious pasta tailored to their dietary needs. While the menu may not specify vegan dishes outright, several pastas can be customized to fit a vegan lifestyle. Opt for their classic spaghetti or angel hair pasta, and pair it with the marinara sauce, which is vegan-friendly.

For a touch of extra flavor, you can ask them if they can entertain you by adding a variety of vegetables like mushrooms, tomatoes, and spinach. Remember to specify no cheese or meat-based additions to ensure your dish remains vegan. This way, you can still savor the taste of Italy at Olive Garden, even on a vegan diet.

Vegan Sides and Dessert

At Olive Garden, vegan sides are a bit on the sparse side, with steamed broccoli and grapes from the kids' menu being theonlyoptions. It's a bit disappointing, isn't it?

Next,when it comes to desserts, well, we're in the same boat—no vegan treats to end the meal on a sweet note. But hey, there's always the raspberry sauce to give you that little sugar rush if you're really craving something sweet. Cheers to hoping our dessert dreams will one day be more than just sauce!

Drinks

Drinks that vegan can enjoy with their meal are

• Fountain Drinks
• Classic Lemonade
• Raspberry Lemonade
• Strawberry-Passion Fruit Limonata
• Mango-Strawberry Iced Tea
• Bellini Peach-Raspberry Iced Tea
• Fresh Brewed Sweet Iced Tea
• Lavazza Espresso

Vegetarian Options at Olive Garden

Vegetarians have a reason to rejoice with a broader selection of entrees and desserts at Olive Garden. In addition to all the vegan choices previously mentioned, there's a bounty of vegetarian delights waiting for you. From rich and cheesy pasta dishes that elevate your dining experience to scrumptious desserts designed to end your meal on a high note, there's plenty to explore.

Entree

• Gluten-Free Rotini
• Alfredo Sauce
• Creamy Mushroom Sauce
• Five Cheese Marinara Sauce
• Cheese Ravioli with Marinara Sauce
• Eggplant Parmigiana
• Fettuccine Alfredo
• Kids Menu - Cheese Pizza

Dessert

• Black Tie Mousse Cake
• Chocolate Lasagna
• Sicilian Cheesecake with Strawberry Topping
• Strawberry Cream Cake
• Tiramisu
• Warm Italian Doughnuts
• Chocolate Sauce

Vegetarians can also enjoyCappuccino as a hot drink.

End Note

In closing, whether you're vegan or vegetarian, Olive Garden offers a range of options that cater to your dietary preferences, though vegans might find the choices a bit limited. With a little creativity and some help from the staff, you can still enjoy a meal that's both satisfying and in line with your lifestyle. Here's to hoping that Olive Garden continues to expand its menu to include even more delicious and diverse options for everyone. Happy dining!