Craving warm breadsticks, creamy pasta, and a cozy bowl of soup, but not the wait for a table? These 20 copycat Olive Garden recipes bring your favorite restaurant dishes straight to your kitchen. From crispy appetizers and hearty soups to classic entrées and decadent desserts, many of these recipes are made in the air fryer or Instant Pot, so they’re faster and easier than you’d expect.
Copycat Olive Garden Appetizers
1. Air Fryer Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
No Olive Garden meal is complete without breadsticks. These homemade versions are soft and buttery with a garlicky seasoned top, and they freeze well, so you can make a big batch.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
2. Air Fryer Olive Garden Fried Mozzarella
Breaded mozzarella gets golden and crispy in the air fryer without deep frying. Serve with warm marinara for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Olive Garden Fried Mozzarella
3. Air Fryer Olive Garden Toasted Ravioli
Store-bought beef ravioli gets breaded and air fried into a crunchy, restaurant-style appetizer. It’s an easy crowd-pleaser for parties and game days.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Olive Garden Toasted Ravioli
4. Air Fryer Olive Garden Copycat Lasagna Fritta
Cheese-filled lasagna noodles are rolled, breaded, and air fried until crispy. It’s a fun, crunchy twist on classic lasagna.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Olive Garden Copycat Lasagna Fritta
5. Air Fryer Olive Garden Stuffed Ziti Fritta
Ziti stuffed with a creamy cheese blend is breaded and air fried, like bite-size pasta mozzarella sticks. Serve with marinara or Alfredo.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Olive Garden Stuffed Ziti Fritta
6. Olive Garden Stuffed Mushrooms
Mushroom caps filled with a cheesy, herby stuffing make an easy appetizer or side dish. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Stuffed Mushroom Recipe
7. Instant Pot Copycat Olive Garden Spinach Artichoke Dip
This creamy, cheesy dip comes together in about 17 minutes in the Instant Pot. Serve with chips, toasted bread, or veggies.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Copycat Olive Garden Spinach Artichoke Dip
Copycat Olive Garden Soups
8. Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Tender chicken, soft potato gnocchi, and vegetables in a creamy broth make this one of Olive Garden’s most-loved soups. It’s comfort in a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup Olive Garden Copycat
9. Instant Pot Olive Garden Minestrone Soup
This hearty, vegetable-packed minestrone is naturally vegetarian and easy to make with pantry staples. Top with Parmesan.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Olive Garden Minestrone Soup
10. Instant Pot Olive Garden Cream of Tomato and Basil Soup
Rich tomatoes, fresh basil, and cream make a velvety soup that pairs perfectly with breadsticks or a grilled cheese.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Olive Garden Cream of Tomato and Basil Soup
Copycat Olive Garden Entrées
11. Air Fryer Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Parmigiana
Crispy breaded chicken topped with marinara and melted cheese is ready in under 20 minutes. It’s a family favorite that’s kid-friendly, too.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Parmigiana
12. Air Fryer Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo
Seasoned shrimp cooks quickly in the air fryer while a homemade garlic Alfredo sauce simmers on the stove. Toss with pasta for a quick, creamy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo
13. Olive Garden Chicken Scampi
Crispy chicken tenders pair with a creamy garlic sauce in this easy homemade version. The flavors are mild enough for picky eaters.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Scampi
14. Olive Garden Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
Air-fried chicken, cheesy tortellini, and creamy Alfredo sauce come together in under an hour. Serve with garlic bread or a salad.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Recipe
15. Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Marsala Fettuccine
Tender chicken, mushrooms, and spinach in a creamy Marsala sauce are tossed with fettuccine. It’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Marsala Fettuccine
16. Olive Garden Eggplant Parmesan
Breaded eggplant crisps up in the air fryer, then gets topped with marinara, mozzarella, and Parmesan. It’s a satisfying vegetarian entrée.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Eggplant Parmesan Like Olive Garden
17. Chicken Fritta (Olive Garden Copycat)
Crispy, golden breaded chicken breasts are air fried and served over pasta with Alfredo sauce. It’s crunchy outside and juicy inside.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fritta Recipe (Olive Garden Copycat)
18. Copycat Olive Garden Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
Tilapia gets a crispy Parmesan and lemon-zest crust in a quick skillet sear. It’s a flavorful weeknight seafood dinner.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Parmesan Crusted Tilapia Recipe
Copycat Olive Garden Desserts
19. Air Fryer Olive Garden Warm Apple Crostata
Spiced apples are folded into a flaky, rustic crust and baked in the air fryer. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or caramel.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Olive Garden Warm Apple Crostata
20. Air Fryer Copycat Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna
Layers of rich chocolate and creamy cheesecake are finished with a glossy ganache. It’s the ultimate indulgent dessert.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna
Tips for Making Olive Garden Recipes at Home
Build a full Olive Garden night. Pair a soup, a pasta entrée, and breadsticks, then finish with the apple crostata or chocolate lasagna for the complete restaurant experience.
Use your air fryer for crispy favorites. Fried mozzarella, toasted ravioli, lasagna fritta, and chicken parmigiana all get golden and crunchy with far less oil than deep frying.
Let the Instant Pot handle soups. Chicken gnocchi, minestrone, and tomato basil soup come together quickly under pressure, which is perfect for busy weeknights.
Make breadsticks ahead. Bake a batch, freeze them, and reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes whenever you want that fresh-from-the-oven taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular Olive Garden copycat recipes?
Breadsticks, chicken gnocchi soup, chicken parmigiana, shrimp Alfredo, and toasted ravioli are some of the most-requested Olive Garden dishes to recreate at home.
Can I make Olive Garden recipes in the air fryer?
Yes. Breaded dishes like fried mozzarella, toasted ravioli, lasagna fritta, stuffed ziti fritta, chicken parmigiana, and eggplant Parmesan all cook beautifully in the air fryer. Creamy sauces are still best made on the stovetop.
Is it cheaper to make Olive Garden dishes at home?
Usually, yes. Cooking at home lets you feed the whole family for less, control the ingredients, and enjoy leftovers the next day.
What should I serve with copycat Olive Garden recipes?
Breadsticks and a simple Italian salad are the classic pairing. For soup nights, add a pasta entrée to round out the meal.
Final Thoughts
With these 20 copycat Olive Garden recipes, you can enjoy all your restaurant favorites right at home, no reservation required. Whether you’re craving warm breadsticks, a cozy bowl of chicken gnocchi soup, or a decadent slice of chocolate lasagna, there’s something here for everyone at the table. Pin this post and save it for your next Olive Garden night at home!
