Olive Garden Specials: Current Deals, Seasonal Offers & Menu Highlights for 2026
Olive Garden runs a rotating lineup of specials, limited time offers, and permanent value deals throughout the year. From weekday lunch pricing that starts under $10 to seasonal events like the Never Ending Pasta Bowl, the brand builds its entire promotional strategy around giving guests more food for less money.
This page covers every current Olive Garden special for 2026, including lunch deals, dinner specials, lighter portions, new menu additions, catering bundles, drink specials, and menu hacks that stretch your dollar even further. Prices vary by location due to regional cost differences, but the core deals and menu structure remain consistent across all U.S. restaurants.
Olive Garden Lunch Specials
Olive Garden lunch specials are available Monday through Friday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at every location. The lunch menu features smaller portions of popular dinner entrees at significantly lower prices. Every lunch entree comes with unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks.
| Lunch Special | Price | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Soup, Salad & Breadsticks | $7.99 to $9.99 | Unlimited refills of all three items |
| Create Your Own Pasta | Starting at $7.99 | Choice of pasta shape and sauce |
| Lunch Sized Classics | Starting at $7.99 | Smaller portions of Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna Classico, and more |
| Lunch Duo | Starting at $7.99 | Half portion entree plus soup or salad |
Lunch vs. Dinner Portion and Price Comparison
| Menu Item | Lunch Calories | Lunch Price | Dinner Calories | Dinner Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lasagna Classico | 500 | ~$11.99 | 940 | ~$18.49+ |
| Fettuccine Alfredo | 650 | ~$10.99 | 1,310 | ~$18.00+ |
| Chicken Parmigiana | 530 | ~$11.99 | 1,020 | ~$20.49+ |
Olive Garden Dinner Specials & Value Deals
Olive Garden’s dinner specials focus on volume and bundled value rather than straight discounts. The three primary dinner deals in 2026 are the $6 Take Home Entree, Buy One Take One, and the 2 for $25 Italian Dinner (at select locations).
- $6 Take Home Entree: The $6 Take Home is available every day at every location. Purchase any full priced adult entree and add a classic pasta dish to take home for $6.00. Choose from Fettuccine Alfredo, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, or Cheese Ravioli. Dine in guests are allowed up to five take home entrees per adult entree purchased.
- Buy One, Take One: The Buy One, Take One deal starts at $12.99 and gives guests one hot entree to eat in the restaurant plus one chilled entree to take home for free. This deal appears as a seasonal limited time offer at various points throughout the year. It includes unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks with the dine in meal.
- 2 for $25 Italian Dinner: The 2 for $25 deal provides one shared appetizer and two classic entrees with unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks for a flat $25. In select promotional windows throughout 2026, the deal also includes a shared dessert, making it a four course meal for two people at $12.50 per person. This deal is available at select locations and is not a permanent national promotion.
| 2 for $25 Components | Options |
|---|---|
| Shared Appetizer | Fried Mozzarella, Calamari, Bruschetta, Toasted Ravioli |
| Entrees (1 per guest) | Fettuccine Alfredo, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, Spaghetti with Meatballs, Smoked Mozzarella Chicken |
| Shared Dessert (select windows) | Tiramisu, Zeppoli, Triple Chocolate Strata |
| Included | Unlimited Soup or Salad and Breadsticks |
Never Ending Pasta Bowl 2026
The Never Ending Pasta Bowl is Olive Garden’s biggest seasonal event. The 2026 promotion runs from August 25 through November 16, with eClub members getting early access starting August 18. The base price is $13.99 for unlimited pasta, sauce, soup or salad, and breadsticks. Add unlimited toppings for $4.99.
| Category | Options |
|---|---|
| Pasta | Fettuccine, Spaghetti, Angel Hair, Rigatoni, Gluten Free Rotini (on request) |
| Sauce | Alfredo, Traditional Marinara, Five Cheese Marinara, Meat Sauce, Creamy Mushroom, Spicy Three Meat Sauce (New for 2026) |
| Toppings (+$4.99) | Meatballs, Italian Sausage, Crispy Chicken Fritta |
For full details on rules and pricing, visit our Olive Garden Deals page.
Lighter Portions Menu: Smaller Plates, Lower Prices
Olive Garden launched the Lighter Portions menu in January 2026 as a direct response to growing demand for smaller meals. These are not reformulated recipes with reduced fat ingredients. They are smaller servings of the same dishes, prepared with the same recipes and ingredients used for the full dinner portions.
The Lighter Portions menu features seven classic entrees priced between $13 and $15. Every lighter entree comes with unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks.
| Menu Item | Standard Calories | Lighter Calories | Standard Price (Est.) | Lighter Price (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fettuccine Alfredo | 1,220 | 920 | $18.00+ | ~$13.99 |
| Spaghetti with Meat Sauce | 640 | 480 | $14.99+ | ~$13.00 |
| Chicken Parmigiana | 1,020 | 630 | $20.49+ | ~$14.99 |
| Lasagna Classico | 940 | 500 | $18.49+ | ~$13.99 |
| Cheese Ravioli | 780 | 440 | $16.49+ | ~$13.99 |
The Lighter Portions menu fills a gap between the low cost lunch specials and the higher priced full dinner entrees. For guests who want a real dinner experience without the 1,000+ calorie load, this is the most practical option on the Olive Garden menu.
New & Returning Menu Specials for 2026
Olive Garden’s 2026 menu includes several new additions and returning fan favorites brought back due to strong social media engagement and guest feedback. These items are available through at least March 22, 2026 at participating locations.
| Menu Item | Description | Price (Est.) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braised Beef Tortelloni | Beef filled tortelloni with slow braised beef and mushrooms in a rich sauce | $22.49 to $23.79 | Returning fan favorite |
| Ravioli di Portobello | Ravioli with portobello mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes in a creamy smoked cheese sauce | $16.29 to $16.99 | Returning fan favorite |
| Four Cheese Manicotti | Manicotti filled with ricotta, parmesan, romano, and mozzarella | $12.99 to $13.99 | New addition |
| Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini | Sirloin and shrimp over bucatini pasta with spicy Calabrian chile sauce | $23.79 to $24.99 | New addition |
| Spicy Three Meat Sauce | New sauce with chili flakes, cherry peppers, pepperoni, and red wine | Included with NEPB / CYOP | New for 2026 |
Olive Garden Catering Specials & Family Bundles
Olive Garden’s catering menu and family bundles are built for groups of 4 to 14 people. Every bundle includes a large pan of pasta, a jumbo house salad, and breadsticks. Sauce is typically packaged separately to keep the pasta fresh during transport.
| Bundle | What Is Included | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lasagna Bundle | Large pan of Lasagna Classico, Jumbo House Salad, 12 Breadsticks | $64.99 to $66.99 |
| Chicken Alfredo Bundle | Large pan of Chicken Alfredo, Jumbo House Salad, 12 Breadsticks | $64.99 to $72.99 |
| Shrimp Alfredo Bundle | Large pan of Shrimp Alfredo, Jumbo House Salad, 12 Breadsticks | $70.79 to $73.99 |
| Five Cheese Ziti al Forno Bundle | Large pan of Five Cheese Ziti, Jumbo House Salad, 12 Breadsticks | $45.99 to $68.99 |
| Homemade Soup (Serves 6) | Choice of Zuppa Toscana, Chicken & Gnocchi, Minestrone, or Pasta e Fagioli | $18.79 to $21.79 |
Large Group Catering (Serves 12 to 14)
For gatherings over 10 people, Olive Garden offers large bundles and pasta stations starting at approximately $142.50. These stations include a customizable selection of pastas, sauces, and toppings. Orders for more than 100 people should be placed by phone directly with the local restaurant at least 24 hours in advance.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Minimum Order | $100 |
| Delivery Fee (Orders up to $500) | 10% of order total |
| Delivery Fee (Orders over $500) | 5% on the amount above $500 |
| Catering Setup Includes | Utensils, table covers, mints |
| Promo Code for Free Delivery | OGDELIVERS (on qualifying orders) |
Use the Olive Garden app or website to place catering orders. The promo code OGDELIVERS waives the delivery fee on qualifying orders, saving up to $50 on a $500 order.
Olive Garden Drink Specials & Beverage Menu
Olive Garden’s 2026 beverage program features Italian inspired cocktails, house wines, domestic beers, and premium non alcoholic drinks. The cocktail and wine menu is a high margin segment of the business, and happy hour pricing (where available) brings signature drinks down to $5 to $6 at the bar.
| Drink | Key Ingredients | Price (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Italian Margarita | Jose Cuervo tequila, triple sec, amaretto float | $8.00 to $10.00 |
| Sicilian Sunset | New Amsterdam vodka, prickly pear lemonade, pineapple | $8.00 to $10.00 |
| Strawberry Limoncello Margarita | Mi Campo Blanco tequila, Caravella limoncello, strawberry | $8.00 to $10.00 |
| Italian Rum Punch | Bacardi Silver rum, amaretto, strawberry passion fruit | $8.00 to $10.00 |
| Peach Bellini | Sparkling prosecco, peach puree | $8.00 to $10.00 |
| Blue Capri | Blue Chair Bay coconut rum, pineapple juice, blue curacao | $8.00 to $10.00 |
Non Alcoholic Drinks
| Drink | Price (Est.) |
|---|---|
| Bellini Peach Raspberry Iced Tea | $4.39 to $4.99 |
| Strawberry Passion Fruit Limonata | $4.49 to $5.59 |
| Berry Sangria Limonata | $4.49 to $5.59 |
For full details on happy hour drink pricing and hours, visit our Olive Garden Happy Hour page.
Olive Garden Secret Menu Hacks
| Hack | What to Order | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Parm Alfredo | Order Chicken Parmigiana and ask for Alfredo sauce instead of marinara | Higher calorie count. No extra charge at most locations. |
| Creamy Minestrone | Order a bowl of Minestrone and ask for a side of Alfredo sauce to mix in | Transforms the vegan soup into a rich, creamy version. |
| Bellini Lemonade | Ask for Raspberry Lemonade mixed with Peach Bellini Iced Tea | $4.50 to $5.00. A refreshing non alcoholic blend. |
| Vegetarian Swap | Substitute pasta or double broccoli for any meat protein on an entree | Usually free of charge. |
| Zeppole with Raspberry | Order Warm Italian Doughnuts (Zeppole) and request raspberry sauce instead of chocolate | Usually free. Raspberry sauce is vegan. |
| Dipping Sauce Hack | Order a side of dipping sauce (Marinara, Alfredo, or Five Cheese) for $4.49 to $5.49 | Comes with a basket of breadsticks. A full light meal for under $6. |
| Stuffed Sampler | Ask to customize the appetizer sampler with double portions of your favorite app | Price varies by appetizer selected. |
| A1 Pasta e Fagioli | Ask for A1 steak sauce on the side to add to Pasta e Fagioli soup | Adds a deeper, smokier flavor. A1 is free on request. |