Nutrition Diet: What Is the Lowest Carb Soup at Olive Garden?

November 4, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Olive Garden's nutritional information, their three main soups—Zuppa Toscana, Pasta Fagioli, and Minestrone—all contain the same net carb count per serving. This guide explores which soup is the most favorable choice when asking, 'What is the lowest carb soup at Olive Garden?', and how to make it part of a balanced, low-carb meal.

Quick Summary

A detailed analysis of Olive Garden's three signature soups—Zuppa Toscana, Minestrone, and Pasta Fagioli—reveals their identical net carb content per bowl. The article breaks down their differing macronutrient profiles and offers strategic tips for modifying your soup order and other menu items to best fit a low-carb or keto-friendly diet.

Key Points

Consistent Net Carbs: All three main soups (Zuppa Toscana, Minestrone, and Pasta Fagioli) have 13g of net carbs per serving at Olive Garden.
Highest Fat Option: Zuppa Toscana, with its creamy broth and sausage, is the highest-fat, and most filling, soup of the three.
Lowest Calorie Choice: Minestrone soup is the lowest in calories, fat, and protein, making it the lightest of the trio.
Strategic Modifications: To lower your meal's carb count, always skip the breadsticks and order the house salad without croutons.
Smart Protein Additions: Boost your soup's protein content by adding a side of grilled chicken or steak without increasing carbs.
Entree Alternatives: For a main course, consider grilled protein dishes like salmon or chicken paired with steamed broccoli instead of pasta.

Comparing Olive Garden's Signature Soups

When it comes to Olive Garden's famous soup offerings, many diners on a low-carb diet mistakenly believe one option is superior. The truth, however, is that all three main soups—Zuppa Toscana, Pasta Fagioli, and Minestrone—have a surprisingly consistent net carb count. While their ingredients and overall nutritional composition differ, the deciding factor for many carb-conscious eaters comes down to their other dietary goals, such as prioritizing fat or protein.

Zuppa Toscana: The Keto-Friendliest Option

Despite containing potatoes, the Zuppa Toscana soup is often considered the most favorable choice for a ketogenic or low-carb diet due to its higher fat content.

Made with spicy Italian sausage, kale, and a creamy broth, this soup offers more satiety compared to its counterparts.
Its rich and creamy base from the sausage and broth provides a higher calorie and fat profile, which can be beneficial for those aiming for higher fat intake on a keto diet.
For an even lower-carb variation, some suggest eating around the potato pieces, though it's still possible to fit a full bowl into your daily carb allowance.

Pasta Fagioli: The Hearty Option

This soup is a mix of ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and pasta in a savory broth. While it contains the same 13 grams of net carbs as the other two soups, its combination of ingredients makes it a heartier choice with a good balance of protein and fat. It's a solid, filling option, but diners should be mindful of the beans and pasta contributing to the carb count.

Minestrone: The Vegan-Friendly Option

Olive Garden's Minestrone is a light, vegetable-based soup made with beans and pasta in a tomato broth. It is the most calorie-efficient of the three soups, with only 110 calories per serving. However, its macronutrient profile is different, providing much less fat and slightly less protein than the others.

Customizing Your Olive Garden Experience

Successfully navigating a low-carb diet at Olive Garden requires more than just choosing a soup. By making a few smart substitutions, you can keep your meal satisfying and low-carb. Here are some proven strategies:

Skip the Breadsticks: The famous Olive Garden breadsticks are a major source of carbs. Politely ask your server to leave them off the table to avoid temptation.
Modify Your Salad: The house salad, when ordered without croutons, is an excellent low-carb appetizer. Opt for the regular Signature Italian Dressing, which contains fewer carbs than the low-fat version. For a truly minimal carb dressing, ask for oil and vinegar.
Add Extra Protein to Your Soup: To make your low-carb soup more substantial, ask to add a side of grilled chicken or steak. This boosts the protein content without adding significant carbs.
Substitute Pasta: Many entrees, like chicken Alfredo or shrimp scampi, can be ordered with steamed broccoli instead of pasta to create a delicious and filling low-carb main course.
Choose Grilled Meats: Look for entrees featuring grilled meat, such as the Herb-Grilled Salmon or Grilled Chicken Margherita, and pair them with a low-carb side like steamed broccoli.

Comparison of Olive Garden's Signature Soups

To help you decide which soup best fits your low-carb nutrition plan, here is a comparison of the three most popular options based on one serving size.


Nutrient	Zuppa Toscana	Pasta Fagioli	Minestrone
Net Carbs	13g	13g	13g
Total Carbs	15g	16g	17g
Calories	220	150	110
Fat	15g	5g	1g
Protein	7g	8g	5g

Low-Carb Olive Garden Entree Alternatives

While the soups are a good start, there are other great choices for a full meal. Consider these modifications for a delicious, low-carb entree:

Grilled Chicken Margherita: This dish includes grilled chicken breasts topped with mozzarella, pesto, and tomatoes, served with a side of broccoli. It's naturally low-carb and very satisfying.
Herb-Grilled Salmon: A great source of protein and healthy fats, the grilled salmon is served with a side of steamed broccoli for a complete meal.
Tuscan Sirloin: The steak, especially from the gluten-sensitive menu, can be ordered with steamed broccoli instead of pasta to significantly reduce carbs.

Conclusion

When asking what is the lowest carb soup at Olive Garden?, the answer is that all three main soup options—Zuppa Toscana, Pasta Fagioli, and Minestrone—contain the same 13g of net carbs per bowl. Your best choice depends on whether you prefer a higher fat content (Zuppa Toscana), a moderate protein balance (Pasta Fagioli), or a lighter, vegan-friendly option (Minestrone). By understanding the nutritional breakdown and making smart modifications, such as skipping breadsticks and croutons, and adding grilled protein, you can easily enjoy a satisfying and delicious low-carb meal at Olive Garden. For a truly minimal carb experience, a salad with no croutons and an oil and vinegar dressing is another excellent option. You can explore more menu details and modifications by consulting Olive Garden's official nutritional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

All three of Olive Garden's signature soups—Zuppa Toscana, Pasta Fagioli, and Minestrone—contain 13 grams of net carbs per serving.

A single serving of Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana soup contains 15g of total carbs and 13g of net carbs.

Yes, it is possible to eat a keto diet at Olive Garden. You must avoid breadsticks and pasta and opt for low-carb substitutions like ordering grilled protein with steamed broccoli and having the house salad without croutons.

The Minestrone soup is the lowest-calorie option among Olive Garden's signature soups, with 110 calories per serving.

To make your meal more keto-friendly, avoid breadsticks, skip the croutons in your salad, ask for oil and vinegar dressing, and consider ordering grilled meats with a side of steamed broccoli instead of pasta.

Yes, the house salad is a low-carb option, provided you order it without croutons. When paired with the Signature Italian Dressing, a serving has only 5 grams of net carbs.

You can ask for a side of grilled chicken or steak to add to your soup. This will increase the protein content and make your meal more filling without adding extra carbs.