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Best first order at Olive Garden

Sit-down chain where the first obvious move is already clear: Pasta e Fagioli with Salad and Chicken. Portions and creamy sauces can get heavy fast, so leftovers and lighter sides help.

Nutrition source checkedNot medical advice
Best first order

Pasta e Fagioli with Salad and Chicken

350 cal·36g protein·9.5g fat
SmallGentleProtein-forwardSmall bite

Best for: Good when a smaller appetite means the normal order would be too much.

Watch if: Higher sodium can add up quickly; this order has 1,500mg sodium.

How to order: Soup, salad, and grilled chicken gives you a cleaner combo than the heavier pasta entrées.

Keep in mind

Menu watchouts

Quick notes for choices that may feel heavier.

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  • Creamy sauces: Ask for sauce on the side, a lighter dressing, or a grilled protein build instead.

Use this as a quick read, not a hard no.

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21 curated options.

Other good options

Use caution

Shrimp Scampi

490 cal·29g protein·18g fat
SmallGentleEasy protein

Best for: Good when a smaller appetite means the normal order would be too much.

Watch if: Higher sodium can add up quickly; this order has 1,120mg sodium.

How to order: Pick Shrimp Scampi when you want a lighter pasta entree that still shows up as a full meal.

Use caution

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

150 cal·8g protein·5g fat
TinyGentleNot enough protein

How to order: Choose Pasta e Fagioli Soup when you want a slightly bigger soup with more protein than Minestrone.

Use caution

Minestrone Soup

110 cal·5g protein·1g fat
TinyGentleNot enough protein

How to order: Go with Minestrone Soup when you want the lightest soup on the official guide.

Use caution

Grilled Chicken Margherita

650 cal·65g protein·39g fat
Split-friendlyRich/heavyProtein-forward

Best for: Good when you want a real meal and a built-in backup for later.

Watch if: Higher sodium can add up quickly; this order has 2,120mg sodium.

How to order: Choose the Grilled Chicken Margherita if you want the highest-protein direct entree in this refreshed Olive Garden set.

Use caution

Soup and Breadsticks

250 cal·9g protein·3.5g fat
SmallGentleNot enough protein

Watch if: Higher sodium can add up quickly; this order has 1,270mg sodium.

How to order: Soup and Breadsticks stays in the catalog as a deterministic combo built from official rows only.

Use caution

Chicken & Gnocchi Soup

230 cal·11g protein·12g fat
TinyGentleNot enough protein

Watch if: Higher sodium can add up quickly; this order has 1,290mg sodium.

How to order: Choose Chicken & Gnocchi Soup when you want a direct soup option that is still reasonably filling.

Use caution

Zuppa Toscana

220 cal·7g protein·15g fat
TinyGentleNot enough protein

How to order: Pick Zuppa Toscana when you want a richer soup but still not a full pasta entree.

Use caution

Salad with Signature Italian Dressing

150 cal·3g protein·10g fat
TinyGentleNot enough protein

Watch if: Higher sodium can add up quickly; this order has 770mg sodium.

How to order: Choose the salad with signature dressing when you want a lighter start without going fully unsweetened.

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