Olive Garden recently unveiled the most significant menu evolution in the restaurant’s history, including more than 20 new menu items that broaden the choice, variety and value it offers guests, prepared with new cooking techniques that accentuate new flavors. Olive Garden’s new menu is designed to appeal to the evolving palettes and preferences of casual dining guests, while providing guests with more options to customize their meal experience at both lunch and dinner.
I recently was able to head over to Olive Garden and taste a few of the new items on their menus. Can I tell you that they were all delicious? Here's what I got to taste!
Polenta Shrimp alla Greca (“Small Plates”) – Sautéed shrimp served on creamy polenta and topped with a fresh blend of olives, capers and tomato sauce.
Risotto Bites (“Small Plates”) – Bite-sized blend of Italian cheeses and rice, lightly fried and served in marinara sauce.
Parmesan Olive Fritta (“Small Plates”) – Blend of olives and Italian cheeses rolled together and served with a choice of citrus aïoli or gorgonzola cream dipping sauce.
Spicy Calabrian Wings (appetizer) – Chicken wings tossed with garlic and chili peppers from the Italian region of Calabria, served with gorgonzola dipping sauce. Increase the heat by adding our signature Calabrian chili paste. Available for a limited time.
Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad Topper – Fresh mozzarella bites, roasted tomato, bell pepper, basil, kale and an extra-virgin olive oil drizzle.
Smashed Chicken Meatball Sandwich – Smashed chicken meatballs with roasted bell peppers and mozzarella on a focaccia bun. Served with garlic parmesan fries. This one was my personal favorite.
Large Paccheri with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato and Chicken Meatballs, and Bucatini with Spicy Diavolo Sauce and Shrimp – both part of Cucina Mia:
- Choose your pasta: New Large Paccheri, New Tri-Colored Vegetable Penne, Bucatini, New Cavatappi, Whole Wheat Linguine, New Gluten-Free Rotini
- Choose your made-from-scratch sauce: New Creamy Garlic Alfredo, New Primavera, New Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato, New Spicy Diavolo, Fresh Tomato Pomodoro
- Add a topping (additional cost): New Chicken Meatballs, New Sausage Meatballs, Meatballs, Sautéed Shrimp
Pappardelle Pescatore (Olive Garden Specialty) – Sautéed shrimp, bay scallops and clams tossed with pappardelle pasta, fresh asparagus and tomatoes in a creamy red pepper seafood sauce.
Chicken Abruzzi (Olive Garden Specialty, Lighter Italian Fare [under 575 calories]) – Grilled chicken breast in a savory broth simmered with cannellini beans, kale and garden vegetables.
Chicken Primavera with Giant Fusili (Spring Seasonal Menu) – Sautéed chicken breasts with snap peas, asparagus and Italian vegetables tossed in a fresh tomato pomodoro sauce over giant fusilli pasta.
Wild Berry Layer Cake – Layers of moist vanilla cake and Italian cream topped with seasonal berries and white chocolate shavings. This cake was to die for. It was so light and airy!
What dish do you want to try?
Yum! We are big fans of the Olive Garden so we will have to head back soon!
I’ve had the small plates before. They are DELICIOUS!
I like their menu.. and now some new things.. awesome
I like their menu.. and now some new things.. awesome
Oh my goodness. This post just made me SO hungry.
I want to try it all.
But I’m especially excited about the Wild Berry Layer Cake. It seems like most restaurants have the same few desserts, but this sounds different, refreshing, and very yummy.
I have not been in a while-great new menu!
I have a gift card that I need to use, thanks for the inspiration!
Polenta Shrimp alla Greca sounds SO good! I’m going to order that next time I go to Olive Garden!
I love Olive Garden. I would love to try their Smashed Chicken Meatball Sandwich the next time I am there.
I love Olive Garden, it’s where I ALWAYS choose to go if I have a say in the matter! It’s definitely been way too long since my last visit and with this amazing new menu, I’m going to make plans. TheParmesan Olive Fritta sounds and looks so good!
I would love to try the chicken meatball sandwich…. that looked really good. My all-time favorite there is the chicken marsala….
That dessert looks amazing!!
I want to try everything! I haven’t been to an Olive Garden in awhile- now I’ve got the itch!
I have not been there in years either and can always remember they have the best salad and bread sticks
I love OG! It’s by far my favorite restaurant!
Yummy, Olive Garden is one of our family favorites. The new menu items look good too. I really want to try the berry cake.
I didn’t realize Olive Garden had new options but those Risotto Bites look phenomenal!
Wow after seeing your photos I want to try them all – seriously! I am a huge Olive Garden fan. I need to try that Smashed meatball sandwich!
Very nice, I haven’t been in a while. I really like their bread.
I really like Olive Garden but haven’t been there since last year.
I’ve always enjoyed Olive Garden. These new dishes look so tempting.
They all look great. love Olive Garden. The Polenta Shrimp alla Greca is something I want to try.
I love Olive Garden. I wish there was one here. We will have to wait until we visit my parents to try new dishes!
I can just about eat my weight in risotto balls..what is this “small plate” you speak of? LOL I love Olive Garden – I am still mourning the loss of their chocolate torte dessert with the fresh strawberries… it was sooo amazing.
I Can’t Wait To Try Them All They ALL Look So Delicious!
Mmmm, love Olive Garden! We love their endless soup, salad, and breadsticks.
Mmmm, love Olive Garden! We love their endless soup, salad, and breadsticks.
Wowza that cake looks enticing! And I’m a huge fan of the small plates!! Smaller portions are always better when it comes to pasta!
It’s time to visit olive garden again
Everything looks so good! I want some of those Rissoto Bites!
We love Olive Garden especially soup and salad. These new menu items sound great!
I love risotto balls. I need to try these next time I’m at Olive Garden.
Wow I had no idea, it was a fave of my family in high school.
The risotto bites are the win for me. Then comes the cake. But I’ll have one of everything please!
the risotta bites look delicious. I definitely can’t wait until the next time I go. 🙂
I’m Calabrian, so no wonder those wings look amazing! Actually, everything does!
Wow! Those new menu items looks really good! I would especially like to try the sandwich right now. Yum!
These items look delicious….but then everything at Olive Garden taste good! Olive Garden is Dawn’s favorite place to eat!
I love Olive Garden, but haven’t been in awhile… need to go check out some of the new menu items! Everything looks delicious!
I haven’t been to an Olive Garden in years! I always loved lunch there. I think the risotto bites look fab! They’re my mom’s favorite.
Everything looks so good, especially the rissoto bites!
I love the Olive Garden! We are well overdue for a visit.
I wasn’t impressed with the risotto bites, but I love the rest of the menu!
I made homemade alfredo the other night and I thought about them! I would love to try those wings! I’ve never heard of that name before for wings. 🙂
Ooh! These are great menu items! It’s just made me hungry! I’ve always loved Olive Garden. Can’t wait to check these out.