Since its first opening in 1982, Olive Garden has expanded and altered its menu in many ways. Some dishes have been classic Italian, while others have been unique takes on Italian cuisine. Of course, an evolving menu means that some dishes need to retire as new dishes are introduced.
And sometimes, those dishes happen to be fan favorites. Fortunately, just because you can’t enjoy a specific appetizer or meal at the Olive Garden anymore, it doesn’t mean you can’t recreate it at home. Take a look at these copycat recipes that can help you out.
Appetizers, soups, and side dishes
First, I’ve got an assortment of Olive Garden soups, starters, and side dishes you can make entirely homemade. This selection contains short-lived and long-time favorites, so you can find just what you’re looking for!
Shrimp Scampi Fritta
Although this appetizer has been replaced since 2021, you can still make it at home. Follow this recipe to create the most delicious fried shrimp with freshly squeezed lemon juice, white pepper, onions, and parsley.
Check out this recipe
Smoked Mozzarella Fonduta
Enjoy a smoky and cheesy appetizer with freshly baked Italian bread, red pepper flakes, and fresh parsley. Unfortunately, this cheesy dip left the Olive Garden around 5 years ago, but it doesn’t have to be the end of enjoying it.
Check out this recipe
Stuffed Mushrooms
It’s been a couple of years since the cherished Stuffed Mushrooms were included on Olive Garden's menu. This dish was notable for its rich flavor, combining garlic, clams, green onions, and a variety of cheeses.
Check out this recipe
San Remo Seafood Dip
Impress your guests by making this former Olive Garden appetizer loaded with tiny shrimp, crab meat, horseradish, cheese, and garlic, just like you used to enjoy at the restaurant.
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Spicy Calabrian Wings
You no longer have to miss out on this fiery favorite! This recipe will help you create the most delicious crispy chicken wings with hints of Calabrian chili paste, honey, and Buffalo sauce.
Check out this recipe
Chicken and Potato Florentine Soup
If you weren't an Olive Garden patron in 2013, you might've missed this gem. Luckily, now’s your chance to make this comforting soup packed with shredded chicken, beans, vegetables, and seasonings in a creamy tomato-based soup.
Check out this recipe
Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
Relish the flavors of freshly cooked asparagus with parmesan cheese, fresh lemon, chopped tomatoes, and balsamic vinegar. With this recipe, you can go back in time to enjoy one of Olive Garden's lighter fare options.
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Grilled Chicken Flatbread
If you've been craving the Olive Garden Grilled Chicken Flatbread, you can easily recreate it at home using a flatbread, chicken breast, Alfredo sauce, and a few other ingredients. Super easy and tasty!
Check out this recipe
Angry Alfredo
Who remembers Angry Alfredo? It was a scrumptious cheesy Alfredo appetizer initially released in 2017 but was removed from the menu later on. Some Olive Gardens served it with bread, others with chicken. The good news? You can make the chicken version here.
Check out this recipe
Sicilian Scampi
Build the appetizer of your dreams with this Olive Garden copycat recipe–toasted bread, white wine sauce, and shrimp combine to make an incredibly flavorful dish for your loved ones to enjoy.
Check out this recipe
Main course dishes
Bring the flavors of Olive Garden to your home when you make one of these retired entrees. Whether you’re a fan of chicken, fish, beef, or vegetarian dishes, you can find something that works for you. And, of course, you can never go wrong with a classic five-cheese lasagna.
Chicken Lombardy
Tender and cheesy chicken breasts are complemented by fresh herbs and mushrooms in this Olive Garden entrée of the past. If you never got ahold of this dish when it was available, you can make it in just about 40 minutes with this copycat recipe!
Check out this recipe
Pizza Bowls
The Pizza Bowls were certainly a hot topic when Olive Garden Introduced them in 2018. You can still make them today with meatballs, pasta sauce, mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and pizza dough.
Check out this recipe
Sausage and Peppers Rustica
Bring this retired Olive Garden favorite back to life by making this simple copycat recipe containing penne pasta, Italian sausage, peppers and onions, and rich marinara sauce.
Check out this recipe
Chicken Vino Bianco
Savor the crispy, golden-brown chicken and a hearty white wine sauce that make this linguine pasta dinner so special. You might also recognize this dish as Chicken Bianco.
Check out this recipe
Stuffed Chicken Marsala
With pan-seared chicken, cheese filling, homemade sauce, and meaty mushrooms, This Olive Garden menu item doesn't have to remain a thing of the past, although it left the menu around 2022.
Check out this recipe
Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells
If you've been missing the giant cheese stuffed shells since 2022, you'll be happy to know that you can recreate this amazing dish with ingredients such as marinara sauce, pasta shells, bread crumbs, and assorted cheeses.
Check out this recipe
Garlic Herb Chicken con Broccoli
Do you remember indulging in the Garlic Herb Chicken con Broccoli at Olive Garden? This irresistible dish was creamy and garlicky, and it had perfectly cooked chicken and tender broccoli to accompany the pasta.
Check out this recipe
Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo
Although the Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo was a much-loved Olive Garden main course, it sadly left most locations in 2021 and hasn't appeared since. Today, you can make it with pasta, homemade Alfredo sauce, sirloin steak, and gorgonzola cheese crumbles
Check out this recipe
Tuscan Garlic Chicken
Originally introduced in 2013, this dish had a good run, but it didn’t last forever. You can enjoy this delicious chicken dinner with perfectly seasoned chicken breast, homemade sauce, parmesan, and fettuccine pasta.
Check out this recipe
Seafood Brodetto
Indulge in flavors of shrimp, bay scallops, celery, carrots, and other fresh ingredients in a rich yet slightly acidic seafood broth. The Seafood Brodetto was a fan favorite until about 8 years ago when it was discontinued.
Check out this recipe
Lasagna Rollata Al Forno
Looking for a showstopping lasagna dish? This classic Olive Garden recipe is the answer. It features a unique presentation with lasagna noodles stuffed and layered vertically in a dish, topped with delicious sauce and cheese, and then baked to perfection.
Check out this recipe
Ravioletti and Mushroom Walnut Sauce
It feels like ages since this beloved mushroom ravioli dish was a part of Olive Garden's selection. When you give it a chance, you’ll see why it was so great. It was an impressively delicious meal with ravioli, fresh mushrooms, and a creamy sauce with earthy walnuts.
Check out this recipe
Venetian Apricot Chicken
This item was on the Lighter Italian Fare, introduced in 2012. It's a lovely healthy dinner containing no pasta, but instead, it has garlic herb chicken, broccoli, asparagus, and a succulent apricot sauce.
Check out this recipe
Chicken Formaggio Pizza
Pizza has come and gone from Olive Garden's menu a few times throughout its history. This Chicken Formaggio pizza stood out for its flavor, though. You won't be able to get enough of the tasty fontina, mozzarella, basil, and succulent chicken.
Check out this recipe
Braised Beef with Tortelloni
This item vanished from the menu sometime around 2022, but you can make it using this copycat recipe! It has braised beef, mushrooms, tomatoes, and asiago-filled tortelloni. The meat is cooked slowly in the oven to make it perfectly tender.
Check out this recipe
Baked Pasta Romano with Beef
Satisfy your Olive Garden cravings with tender roast beef, asiago sauce, spinach, and parmesan. Follow this copycat recipe and have this scrumptious entree ready in about two hours!
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Chianti Braised Short Ribs
Make Olive Garden-style short ribs, slow-cooked with onions, garlic, Chianti, and a rich broth to create a mouthwatering and elegant dinner. Since it’s so magnificent, it makes you wonder why this lovely supper has been discontinued for quite some time.
Check out this recipe
Chicken Giardino
This beloved Olive Garden dish contains assorted vegetables, chicken breast, and a homemade sauce, but despite being so cherished, it sadly left the menu sometime around 2018.
Check out this recipe
Pasta Frittata
Learn the secret to making Olive Garden’s Pasta Frittata! This is a great way to use leftover cooked spaghetti noodles. It also has green onions, bacon, and a homemade frittata batter for a delicious and light main course.
Check out this recipe
Pepperoni and Sausage Flatbread Pizza
Make your own version of Olive Garden's Pepperoni & Sausage Flatbread Pizza with layers of flavor. This dish contains plenty of sauce, tons of cheese, and savory pepperoni and sausage, making it a family favorite.
Check out this recipe
Ravioli di Portobello
It's believed that this Olive Garden classic was only around until 2019. This mushroom ravioli dish contains sun-dried tomato paste, chicken broth, fontina cheese, and a rich sauce. You definitely don't want to miss out on it!
Check out this recipe
Chicken Caesar Sandwich
Enjoy a lighter version of Olive Garden Chicken Caesar Sandwich with marinated chicken, homemade Caesar dressing, and lettuce on fluffy sourdough sandwich rolls. This Olive Garden classic was initially introduced in 1995 but is no longer served today.
Check out this recipe
Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
This early 2000s menu item features tilapia fillets, Alfredo sauce, angel hair pasta, and assorted fresh vegetables for a delicious meal. The best part? You can have it ready in an hour.
Check out this recipe
Five Cheese Lasagna
The Five-Cheese Lasagna differs from the Olive Garden’s Lasagna Classico that’s currently available. Instead of being layered with a meat sauce, it’s a vegetarian lasagna made with a cheesy marinara and sun-dried tomatoes.
Check out this recipe
Chicken Crostina
Olive Garden’s Chicken Crostina was a limited-time special in 2008, but the restaurant shared the recipe with its customers, so it lives on. You can recreate the dish yourself using simple ingredients like Italian seasoning, roasted garlic, chicken breasts, and a homemade potato crust.
Check out this recipe
Florentine Lasagna
Looking for a meatless Olive Garden classic? Look no further than the Florentine Lasagna, made with mushrooms, spinach, ricotta, parmesan, and more.
Check out this recipe
Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto
You’ll love this early 2000s Olive Garden entree with arborio rice, asparagus spears, parmesan, tomatoes, and a rich chicken broth. You can easily make this main course in roughly an hour!
Check out this recipe
Dessert dishes
Some of the Olive Garden’s best dishes are the desserts! If you miss one of the discontinued sweets, you can use one of these divine copycat recipes to replicate it and even put your own twist on it.
Brownie Banana Funtastico
Chocolate brownies with dream whip banana mousse, nuts, and cherries team up to make the dessert of a chocolate lover's dream. It's never too late to enjoy this Olive Garden dessert of the past.
Check out this recipe
Apple Carmelita
Savor the taste of spiced and sugared apples with a delicious topping of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. Use this copycat recipe to make your own version that is reminiscent of the retired item.
Check out this recipe
Cookie Dough Cheesecake
Olive Garden’s Cookie Dough Cheesecake was a classic vanilla cheesecake infused with the flavors of chocolate chip cookie dough. The crust was even made with cookie crumbs! If you miss this incredible dessert, why not make it from scratch?
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Brownie Lasagna
Layers upon layers of chocolate goodness are what make up this sweet dessert. Olive Garden had this version in 2018 before they removed it and ultimately replaced it with something similar, the Chocolate Lasagna.
Check out this recipe
Discovering that your go-to dish has been scrapped from the menu can be disappointing, especially at a place as delicious as Olive Garden. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for Olive Garden to bring back your beloved dish. These copycat Olive Garden recipes are definitely worth adding to your recipe collection and trying out in your own kitchen.
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