Is anything gluten-free at Olive Garden? Your Complete Guide

December 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Olive Garden's official allergen information, the restaurant offers a 'gluten-sensitive' menu, which includes items prepared without gluten-containing ingredients. However, it is crucial for customers to understand the distinction between 'gluten-sensitive' and 'gluten-free,' especially for those with celiac disease or severe sensitivities.

Quick Summary

Olive Garden provides a gluten-sensitive menu featuring options like a brown rice rotini pasta, sirloin, and grilled salmon, along with soups and salads (without croutons). While they use separate utensils and procedures to minimize risk, cross-contact can occur in the shared kitchen space.

Key Points

Gluten-Sensitive vs. Gluten-Free: Olive Garden uses the term 'gluten-sensitive' because of potential cross-contamination in their shared kitchen, not because items are strictly gluten-free.
Brown Rice Rotini Pasta: The restaurant offers a dedicated gluten-free rotini pasta made from brown rice flour, cooked separately from other pasta.
Safe Entrée Options: Grilled dishes like the Herb-Grilled Salmon and 6 oz Sirloin, along with a special Grilled Chicken Parmigiana, are viable choices.
Salads and Soups: The Famous House Salad is an option if ordered without croutons, and the Zuppa Toscana soup is made with gluten-sensitive ingredients.
High Cross-Contamination Risk: Breaded items, fried foods (like French Fries), and desserts present a high risk due to shared equipment and ingredients.
Communicate with Staff: Always inform your server about your dietary needs to ensure proper handling and preparation in the kitchen.

Understanding Olive Garden's "Gluten-Sensitive" Label

Olive Garden explicitly uses the term "gluten-sensitive" for certain menu items rather than labeling them as "gluten-free". This is an important distinction for anyone managing their gluten intake. The restaurant explains that while these items are made with ingredients that do not contain gluten, they are prepared in a shared kitchen where cross-contact with other gluten-containing foods is possible. The FDA defines "gluten-free" as containing less than 20 parts per million of gluten, a standard Olive Garden's kitchen protocols cannot guarantee for all items. However, their brown rice rotini pasta does meet the FDA's definition and is cooked separately to minimize contamination.

Safe Ordering for Gluten-Free Diners

When dining at Olive Garden with gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease, communication is key. Always inform your server about your needs to ensure the kitchen staff takes appropriate precautions. You can request to speak with a manager to confirm protocols in place, such as using fresh gloves and clean utensils. While the risk of cross-contamination cannot be eliminated, these steps can significantly reduce it.

Navigating the Olive Garden Menu with Gluten Restrictions

Soups and Salads

The famous Olive Garden House Salad can be a safe choice, but with specific modifications. You must request the salad without croutons. The Signature Italian Dressing is also made without gluten-containing ingredients, but like other items, it is produced in a facility that handles gluten. For soups, the Zuppa Toscana is an option, made with Italian sausage, kale, and potatoes in a creamy broth. The Minestrone and Pasta e Fagioli soups contain pasta and should be avoided. Always confirm with your server that the soup of the day is prepared without gluten-containing ingredients.

Main Entrées

Olive Garden offers several entrées that can be made gluten-sensitive, often relying on grilled protein and the gluten-free rotini pasta. Your server can confirm which options are safely prepared for your dietary needs. Key entrées include:

Herb-Grilled Salmon: A grilled filet served with parmesan garlic broccoli.
6 oz Sirloin: A grilled sirloin topped with garlic herb butter, served with parmesan garlic broccoli.
Grilled Chicken Parmigiana: The chicken is grilled instead of breaded, served with gluten-free rotini and marinara.
Rotini Pasta: This brown rice pasta can be ordered with marinara or meat sauce.

The All-Important Pasta and Sauces

Olive Garden's gluten-sensitive rotini pasta is a game-changer for many. It is cooked and held separately to minimize cross-contact. You can pair it with either the marinara or meat sauce, both of which are made without gluten-containing ingredients. When ordering, specifically mention your gluten sensitivity so the kitchen follows the correct procedure. The Never-Ending Pasta Bowl promotion has also included the gluten-free rotini in the past.

Other Items to Consider

Breadsticks: The traditional breadsticks are not gluten-free and are a significant source of cross-contamination. Some locations might offer a gluten-free breadstick on request, but this is not standard and varies by location.
Appetizers and Desserts: Most appetizers, such as calamari and fried mozzarella, are breaded and cooked in shared fryers, posing a high risk. For dessert, there are no specific gluten-free options on the regular dessert menu. Some sauces like chocolate or raspberry might be wheat-free, but desserts like Tiramisu and Sicilian Cheesecake are not suitable.

Gluten-Sensitive vs. Standard Menu Item Comparison


Item	Gluten-Sensitive Preparation	Standard Preparation	Cross-Contamination Risk	Notes
Rotini Pasta	Brown rice pasta cooked in a separate pan, served with GF sauces.	Standard wheat pasta cooked in large pasta cookers.	Low-to-Moderate (isolated prep area, but shared kitchen).	Pasta is confirmed GF but handling risk remains.
Grilled Chicken Parmigiana	Grilled chicken breast, no breading, with GF sauces.	Breaded and fried chicken breast.	Low-to-Moderate (cooked separately, but shared grill).	Grilled version is safe with precautions.
House Salad	Request without croutons.	Served with croutons.	Minimal (if server handles correctly).	Dressing is made in a shared facility.
Zuppa Toscana	Prepared with naturally gluten-free ingredients.	Standard recipe.	Minimal (isolated recipe).	Safe soup option.
Fried Items (e.g., French Fries)	Not available from dedicated fryer.	Cooked in shared fryer with breaded items.	High Risk.	Avoid due to shared fryer use.

Conclusion: Safe but Cautious Dining

Olive Garden has made strides in accommodating gluten-sensitive guests by providing a dedicated menu and implementing special food preparation procedures, including a gluten-free rotini pasta. However, because they operate a shared kitchen and do not have dedicated gluten-free fryers, there is always a potential for cross-contamination. This makes it a riskier choice for individuals with celiac disease or extreme sensitivities. The best approach is to communicate clearly with your server, ask detailed questions about preparation methods, and stick to the safest items like the grilled proteins, Zuppa Toscana, and customized salads. For the most up-to-date and authoritative information, always refer to the official Olive Garden nutrition and allergen guide before your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Olive Garden's gluten-free rotini pasta is made from brown rice flour and cooked separately to minimize cross-contact. However, since all food is prepared in a shared kitchen with gluten-containing items, there is still a risk, and individuals with Celiac disease should exercise caution.

The Famous House Salad can be a gluten-sensitive option if you order it without croutons. The dressing itself is made without gluten-containing ingredients, but is processed in a shared facility.

No, the signature breadsticks are not gluten-free. Some non-official sources suggest that some locations might offer a gluten-free breadstick, but this is not guaranteed and would still carry a cross-contamination risk.

Yes, the Zuppa Toscana soup is a gluten-sensitive option. However, other soups like Minestrone and Pasta e Fagioli contain pasta and should be avoided.

There are no dedicated gluten-free desserts on the menu. While some sauces like chocolate or raspberry may not contain wheat, the dessert options like Tiramisu and cheesecake are not suitable.

No, Olive Garden does not have a dedicated fryer for gluten-free items. All fried menu items, including French fries, pose a high risk of cross-contamination and should be avoided by those with gluten sensitivity.

When ordering, always inform your server of your gluten sensitivity or allergy. You can also request to speak with a manager to confirm kitchen protocols for your meal, such as using clean utensils and gloves during preparation.