Soup and Salad Olive Garden
If you’re looking for a filling yet affordable lunch, the soup and salad combo at Olive Garden is a fantastic option. With unlimited homemade soup, fresh salad, and warm breadsticks, it’s a hearty meal that won’t break the bank.
Olive Garden’s Soups
Olive Garden offers a wide variety of soups made fresh daily. Popular choices include:
- Zuppa Toscana – Spicy Italian sausage, russet potatoes, and kale in a creamy broth, seasoned with garlic and red pepper flakes.
- House Salad – A mix of fresh greens, carrots, tomatoes, red onions, pepperoncini, and black olives, tossed in Italian dressing.
- Chicken & Gnocchi Soup – Comforting soup with tender chicken, soft potato gnocchi, and spinach in a rich chicken broth.
- Caesar Salad – Crisp romaine lettuce combined with Caesar dressing, parmesan cheese, and croutons, creating a classic salad.
- Minestrone Soup – A hearty blend of vegetables, beans, and small pasta in a light and flavorful tomato vegetable broth.
The soup flavors rotate daily, so check Olive Garden’s soup menu to see what’s currently available.
Salad Options
Along with unlimited soup, Olive Garden’s soup and salad deal includes freshly prepared house or Caesar salad. Build your custom salad with premium toppings like:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Sliced cucumbers
- Red onions
- Black olives
- Pepperoncinis
- Parmesan cheese
- Croutons
Olive Garden’s signature Italian dressing perfectly complements the fresh garden vegetables. You can also choose light Italian, ranch, or Caesar dressing.
Top 5 Inspired Soup and Salad Recipes from Olive Garden
Craving the incredible soups and salads from Olive Garden? Whip up these fan-favorite recipes at home with fresh ingredients and easy instructions. Read on for our top 5 soup and salad Olive Garden picks, along with nutrition information, benefits, and FAQs.
1. Zuppa Toscana
This creamy potato and kale soup is flavored with spicy Italian sausage for a little kick.
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of Garlic, minced
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casing removed
- 4 large Russet potatoes, thinly sliced
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 2 cups Kale, chopped
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes
Directions
- Prepare Ingredients: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they are soft and fragrant.
- Cook Sausage: Add the Italian sausage to the pot, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until well browned.
- Simmer Soup: Add the thinly sliced potatoes and chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender.
- Finish the Soup: Stir in chopped kale and heavy cream. Let the soup simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Season with crushed red pepper flakes.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|
| 380 | 23g | 33g | 4g |
Benefits
Packed with fiber from kale and potatoes. Provides protein from sausage.
2. House Salad
This simple salad features mixed greens, veggies, pepperoncini, and black olives with Italian dressing.
Ingredients
- Mixed greens
- 2 Carrots, sliced
- 2 Tomatoes, chopped
- 1 Red onion, thinly sliced
- Pepperoncini
- Black olives
- Italian dressing
Directions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, sliced carrots, chopped tomatoes, thinly sliced red onions, pepperoncini, and black olives.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle with Italian dressing to taste and toss the salad until well coated.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|
| 153 | 12g | 8g | 3g |
Benefits
Veggies provide vitamins A, C, and K. Healthy fats from olive oil dressing.
3. Chicken & Gnocchi Soup
A comforting blend of chicken, soft gnocchi pasta, and spinach, perfect for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 2 Carrots, diced
- 2 stalks Celery, diced
- 1 lb Chicken, cooked and shredded
- 6 cups Chicken broth
- 1 lb Gnocchi
- 2 cups Spinach, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, diced carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
- Add Chicken and Broth: Place the cooked, shredded chicken into the pot. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook Gnocchi and Spinach: Add gnocchi to the pot. Once the gnocchi floats to the top, add chopped spinach. Cook for a few minutes until the spinach wilts and the gnocchi is tender. Season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|
| 278 | 7g | 33g | 2g |
Benefits
Provides lean protein from chicken. Contains vitamin A, folate, and iron.
4. Caesar Salad
A classic salad with crisp romaine lettuce, creamy dressing, parmesan, and croutons.
Ingredients
- Romaine lettuce
- Caesar dressing
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Croutons
Directions
- Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce with grated parmesan cheese and croutons.
- Add Dressing: Drizzle Caesar dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|
| 393 | 31g | 12g | 2g |
Benefits
Leafy greens provide vitamin K. Cheese has protein and calcium.
5. Minestrone Soup
An Italian classic, loaded with vegetables, beans, and small pasta in a light tomato broth.
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 2 Carrots, diced
- 2 stalks Celery, diced
- 2 cups Cabbage, chopped
- 1 can Beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 cups Tomato sauce
- 6 cups Broth
- 1 cup Small pasta
- Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Directions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, diced carrots, and celery. Cook until they start to soften.
- Add Cabbage and Beans: Stir in chopped cabbage and rinsed beans.
- Simmer Soup: Pour in broth and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Add Pasta: Stir in small pasta and continue to simmer until the pasta is cooked. Garnish with parmesan cheese before serving.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|
| 165 | 3g | 28g | 7g |
Benefits
Provides fiber, folate, iron, and antioxidants from veggies. Contains plant-based protein.
Be sure to explore more of our Olive Garden inspired recipes on the Aazmi Health blog! Our articles provide full instructions and tips to recreate the flavors you love.
Building Your Soup and Salad Combo
One of the best things about Olive Garden’s soup and salad deal is you can customize it to your tastes. Their regular house or Caesar salad is plenty filling on its own. But if you want more variety, you can order unlimited soup to pair with your salad.
Try starting with a bowl of their chunky chicken and gnocchi soup along with a small house salad. Enjoy the salad while the soup warms you up. Then if you have room left, get refills of your favorite soup or another salad variety to cap off your meal.
Pricing and Value
Olive Garden offers incredible value with their endless soup and salad options. As of 2024, pricing starts at $8.99 for unlimited soup or salad. Upgrading to the endless soup and salad deal is only $3 more at $11.99.
Considering most main entrees at Olive Garden cost $13-$20, the soup and salad bar is a budget-friendly way to enjoy a filling Italian-style lunch. You get the same freshly baked breadsticks and friendly service for nearly half the price. It’s a wallet-friendly option for students, seniors, and anyone looking for a lighter meal.
The unlimited refills mean you can eat until you’re full without worrying about extra charges. So you get quality and quantity for the price.
FAQ
Is the soup and salad unlimited at Olive Garden?
Yes, with the endless soup, salad, and breadsticks deal, you can get unlimited refills of whichever included soups and salads are available that day.
Does the Olive Garden soup and salad come with breadsticks?
Yes, their famous warm garlic breadsticks are included with all entrees, including the endless soup and salad option.
Is there a time limit on the Olive Garden unlimited soup and salad?
No, there is no time limit imposed. You can enjoy your soup, salad, and breadsticks at your own pace during regular restaurant hours.
Head to Olive Garden on your lunch break to build a customized soup and salad combo. With unlimited fill ups, it’s a budget-friendly way to leave feeling full and satisfied.
