What menu items are gluten-free at Olive Garden?

January 12, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the official Olive Garden website, their gluten-free rotini pasta meets the FDA's formal definition for the term, offering a reliably safe option for diners. But what menu items are gluten-free at Olive Garden beyond just this specific pasta? This guide details the available selections and important cross-contact precautions for a satisfying and worry-free meal.

Quick Summary

Find all the gluten-sensitive choices at Olive Garden, from appetizers to entrees. This guide details their special handling procedures for pasta and important cross-contact risk factors to ensure a safe dining experience.

Key Points

Communicate Your Needs: Inform your server about your gluten sensitivity or allergy immediately to trigger kitchen safety protocols.
Choose the Right Pasta: Order the gluten-free rotini, made with brown rice flour, which is cooked and stored separately to minimize cross-contact.
Modify the Famous Salad: The Famous House Salad is a safe option if you order it without croutons. For high sensitivity, consider asking for olive oil and vinegar as a dressing alternative.
Be Wary of Fryers: Avoid French fries and other fried items, as Olive Garden does not use dedicated gluten-free fryers.
Utilize the Gluten-Sensitive Menu: This menu is the safest guide to follow, offering specific dishes like grilled chicken parmigiana, herb-grilled salmon, and the popular Zuppa Toscana soup.
Customize Your Meal: The 'Create Your Own Pasta' feature can be used with gluten-free rotini and gluten-free toppings like grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp.

Understanding Olive Garden's Gluten-Sensitive Menu

Olive Garden maintains a dedicated "Gluten Sensitive" menu for guests with gluten dietary needs. It's crucial to understand that while these items are made without gluten-containing ingredients, they are prepared in a kitchen where gluten is present, and cross-contact is possible. For individuals with celiac disease or high gluten sensitivity, communicating clearly with your server is the most important step to ensure the kitchen takes appropriate precautions.

The Importance of Communicating Your Needs

When dining at Olive Garden with a gluten sensitivity, inform your server immediately. This triggers special procedures in the kitchen designed to minimize cross-contact risks, such as changing gloves and using clean utensils. While the restaurant has systems in place, ultimate safety depends on proper communication and understanding their limitations.

Gluten-Free Main Courses and Pasta

For the main course, Olive Garden offers several satisfying options. The most popular choice for those avoiding gluten is the specialized pasta.

Gluten-Free Pasta Dishes:

Gluten-Free Rotini: The primary ingredient in this pasta is brown rice flour, and it is cooked separately to avoid cross-contact. You can order it with gluten-sensitive Marinara sauce or Meat sauce.
Rotini with Marinara or Meat Sauce (Kids): A child-sized portion of the gluten-free rotini is available with either sauce and a choice of grapes or broccoli.

Protein-Based Entrees:

Grilled Chicken Parmigiana: Features a grilled chicken breast, topped with marinara and melted cheese, served with parmesan garlic broccoli. This is a great, flavorful alternative to the traditional breaded version.
Herb-Grilled Salmon: A grilled salmon fillet topped with garlic herb butter, served with parmesan garlic broccoli.
6 oz Sirloin: A grilled sirloin steak topped with garlic herb butter, also served with parmesan garlic broccoli.

Safe Appetizers, Soups, and Salad

Starting your meal with a gluten-free option is entirely possible at Olive Garden, though it requires careful ordering.

Salad Modifications

The famous Famous House Salad is a great option, but it requires one crucial modification: ordering it without croutons. The signature Italian dressing does not contain gluten ingredients, but it is made in a facility where gluten is processed, so those with high sensitivity may want to request a packaged alternative or olive oil and vinegar.

Zuppa Toscana Soup

One of Olive Garden's popular soups is naturally gluten-sensitive. The Zuppa Toscana contains spicy Italian sausage, kale, and russet potatoes in a creamy broth. It is a hearty and flavorful choice that provides a perfect starter for a cooler evening.

Navigating Cross-Contamination Risks

For diners with celiac disease, understanding the restaurant's policies is essential. While Olive Garden does take precautions, their kitchens are not designated as gluten-free.

Comparison of Gluten-Friendly Items vs. Potential Risks


Menu Item	Gluten Status	Handling Notes	Risk Level (for celiac)
Gluten-Free Rotini	Meets FDA definition	Cooked and held separately.	Lower, but not zero.
Famous House Salad	No gluten ingredients	Must order without croutons.	Low, moderate if dressing is a concern.
Zuppa Toscana Soup	No gluten ingredients	Prepared in a shared kitchen.	Moderate.
Grilled Chicken Parmigiana	No gluten ingredients	May be cooked on shared grill surfaces.	Moderate.
French Fries	No gluten ingredients	Cooked in a shared fryer.	High.

Gluten-Free Alternatives and Customization

Beyond the dedicated gluten-sensitive menu, there are ways to customize your meal. The "Create Your Own Pasta" option allows you to combine the gluten-free rotini with a variety of sauces and toppings, such as marinara, meat sauce, grilled chicken, or sautéed shrimp, which are all gluten-free. This gives you more control over your meal and allows for some creative culinary freedom within safe parameters.

Conclusion

While Olive Garden is known for its gluten-filled breadsticks and traditional pasta dishes, those with gluten sensitivities have viable and tasty options. By sticking to the designated gluten-sensitive menu, requesting specific modifications like holding the croutons from the salad, and clearly communicating your needs to the server, you can have a satisfying Italian meal. Always be mindful of the shared kitchen environment and make a choice that aligns with your personal comfort level regarding potential cross-contact. For detailed allergen information, consult the official Olive Garden website and their allergen guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the famous Olive Garden breadsticks are not gluten-free and contain wheat.

No, Olive Garden does not have a dedicated fryer for gluten-free items, so cross-contact for fried foods is a concern.

The signature Italian dressing contains no gluten ingredients, but it is prepared in a facility that also processes gluten. If you are highly sensitive, ask for a separate, sealed dressing cup or olive oil and vinegar.

No, the standard Alfredo sauce is not gluten-free as it uses flour as a thickener. Olive Garden does not list an official gluten-free version.

Olive Garden discloses that its kitchens are not gluten-free, and cross-contact is possible. While they take precautions, individuals with celiac disease should be aware of this risk and make decisions based on their sensitivity level.

Yes, Olive Garden's gluten-free rotini is available during the Never-Ending Pasta Bowl promotions.

Olive Garden uses gluten-free rotini pasta, which is primarily made from brown rice flour.