You Are Hosting. You Are Stressed. You Need to Feed Fifteen People.

Thanksgiving. Christmas. Easter. Mother’s Day. Father’s Day. Birthday parties. Graduation dinners. Anniversary celebrations. Family reunions.

You volunteered to host. Or you got voluntold. Now you have twelve to twenty people coming over. Your kitchen is small. Your cooking skills are limited. Your budget is tight.

You need a solution. You need Olive Garden.

The same chain famous for date night pasta also has a catering and large party system that will save your holiday. No cooking. No cleaning. No stress. Just hot food delivered or picked up.

This guide is written specifically for anyone hosting a holiday, party, or special occasion. You will learn exactly how to order for large groups, how much food to buy, how much it will cost, and how to make everyone happy.

The Catering Menu. Your Holiday Savior

Olive Garden catering is the best kept secret for large group entertaining. Here is everything you need to know.

How it works. You order online or over the phone. You choose your dishes. You pick a pickup time. You show up. You take the food home. You put it in serving bowls. You look like a hero.

How far in advance to order. For small groups of four to eight people, twenty four hours notice is fine. For large groups of ten to twenty people, order three days in advance. For holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, order one to two weeks in advance. Slots fill up fast.

What you get. Every catering order comes with everything you need. Serving utensils. Warmers. Chafing dishes for hot food. Plates and napkins if you ask. Some locations even provide disposable tablecloths.

The cost savings. Catering is significantly cheaper than ordering individual entrees. A Small Pasta Bar feeds five to six people for forty five dollars. That is seven fifty to nine dollars per person. Individual entrees for five people would cost over seventy five dollars. You save thirty dollars by ordering catering.

The Complete Catering Price List (No Tables)

Let me walk you through every catering option. No tables. Just clear text.

Pasta Bars. The Best Value.

Small Pasta Bar costs forty five dollars. Feeds five to six people. Includes two pastas, one sauce, a large salad, and breadsticks.

Large Pasta Bar costs seventy five dollars. Feeds eight to ten people. Includes three pastas, two sauces, a large salad, and breadsticks.

Pasta choices for your bar. Spaghetti. Fettuccine. Ziti. Ravioli. Tortellini. Choose two for small bar. Choose three for large bar.

Sauce choices. Marinara. Alfredo. Meat sauce. Five Cheese. Choose one for small bar. Choose two for large bar.

Individual Catering Trays.

Lasagna Tray costs sixty five dollars. Feeds eight to ten people. A full tray of Lasagna Classico.

Chicken Parmigiana Tray costs seventy dollars. Feeds eight to ten people. Twelve pieces of chicken parm.

Fettuccine Alfredo Tray costs sixty dollars. Feeds eight to ten people. A full tray of fettuccine with alfredo sauce.

Spaghetti with Marinara Tray costs fifty five dollars. Feeds eight to ten people. The most basic but also the cheapest.

Meatball Tray costs fifty dollars. Feeds eight to ten people. Twenty five meatballs with marinara sauce.

Salad Trays.

Small Salad Tray costs fifteen dollars. Feeds four to six people.

Large Salad Tray costs twenty five dollars. Feeds eight to ten people.

Extra Large Salad Tray costs thirty five dollars. Feeds twelve to fifteen people.

Breadstick Trays.

Six breadsticks cost five dollars.
Twelve breadsticks cost nine dollars.
Twenty four breadsticks cost seventeen dollars.
Forty eight breadsticks cost thirty three dollars.

Dessert Trays.

Black Tie Mousse Cake Tray costs thirty dollars. Feeds eight to ten people.

Tiramisu Tray costs twenty five dollars. Feeds eight to ten people.

Zeppoli Tray costs fifteen dollars. Feeds six to eight people. Twenty four doughnuts.

Complete Meal Deals. The Best Value.

Small Complete Meal costs ninety dollars. Feeds eight to ten people. Includes two pasta trays, one salad tray, one breadstick tray, and one dessert tray.

Large Complete Meal costs one hundred sixty dollars. Feeds sixteen to twenty people. Includes four pasta trays, two salad trays, two breadstick trays, and two dessert trays.

The Holiday Hosting Guide. How Much Food to Order

This is the most common question. How much food do I need for my group?

The formula. For a main course meal, plan for half a pound of pasta per person. For a party with other food, plan for a quarter pound per person.

For eight people having dinner.

One Large Pasta Bar at seventy five dollars. Feeds eight to ten people. Perfect.

For twelve people having dinner.

One Large Pasta Bar plus one Small Pasta Bar. Seventy five plus forty five equals one hundred twenty dollars. Feeds fourteen to sixteen people. You will have leftovers.

Or order two Large Pasta Bars for one hundred fifty dollars. Feeds sixteen to twenty people. More food than you need but leftovers freeze well.

For sixteen people having dinner.

Two Large Pasta Bars for one hundred fifty dollars. Feeds sixteen to twenty people. Perfect.

For twenty people having dinner.

Two Large Pasta Bars plus one Small Pasta Bar. One hundred fifty plus forty five equals one hundred ninety five dollars. Feeds twenty two to twenty six people. You will have plenty.

For a party with other food.

If you are also serving appetizers or snacks from home, order less. One Large Pasta Bar for every fifteen people instead of every ten.

The Holiday Specific Guide. What to Order for Each Occasion

Different holidays call for different foods. Here is what works best.

Thanksgiving.

People expect traditional food. But you can add Olive Garden to supplement. Order a Large Lasagna Tray. Serve it alongside your turkey. The lasagna gives people a second option. Order a Large Salad Tray. Serve it as your green salad. Order two dozen breadsticks. Serve them instead of rolls.

Total cost for sixteen people. Lasagna tray sixty five dollars. Large salad tray twenty five dollars. Twenty four breadsticks seventeen dollars. Total one hundred seven dollars. Serves sixteen people as a side dish. Seven dollars per person.

Christmas.

Same as Thanksgiving. Lasagna is festive. Red and green colors. Order the same setup.

Easter.

Lighter food works better. Order two Large Pasta Bars with alfredo and marinara. Add a Large Salad Tray. Add steamed broccoli trays if available. Total about one hundred fifty dollars for sixteen people.

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

Smaller groups. Order a Small Complete Meal for ninety dollars. Feeds eight to ten people. Perfect for immediate family.

Birthday Parties.

Order the Large Complete Meal for one hundred sixty dollars. Feeds sixteen to twenty people. Add a special dessert tray. Write “Happy Birthday” on the tiramisu tray if you ask nicely. Some locations will do it.

Graduation Parties.

Summer weather. Order cold options. The salad trays are perfect. Add meatball trays. Add breadsticks. Avoid heavy creamy pastas that get heavy in the heat.

The Budget Breakdown. Feeding a Crowd for Under Ten Dollars Per Person

Here is how to feed a large group for less than ten dollars per person.

The ten dollar challenge for twenty people.

Two Large Pasta Bars for one hundred fifty dollars. Feeds sixteen to twenty people. Nine thirty seven to seven fifty per person.

Add one Large Salad Tray for twenty five dollars. Total one hundred seventy five dollars. Eight seventy five per person.

Add two dozen breadsticks for seventeen dollars. Total one hundred ninety two dollars. Nine sixty per person.

You just fed twenty people for nine dollars and sixty cents each. That includes pasta, sauce, salad, and breadsticks. No cooking. No dishes. No stress.

The eight dollar challenge for thirty people.

Three Large Pasta Bars for two hundred twenty five dollars. Feeds twenty four to thirty people. Nine thirty seven to seven fifty per person.

Skip the salad to save money. Skip the breadsticks. Just pasta and sauce. Your guests will still be happy. Pasta is cheap. Pasta fills people up.

Total cost two hundred twenty five dollars for thirty people. Seven dollars and fifty cents per person.

The Pickup Strategy. How to Get Your Food Without Losing Your Mind

Picking up catering for a large group is stressful. Here is how to do it smoothly.

Step one. Order at least three days in advance. For holidays, order two weeks in advance.

Step two. Choose a pickup time that is not peak hours. Eleven AM or two PM are best. Avoid twelve thirty PM and six PM.

Step three. When you arrive, park in a regular spot. Do not use curbside pickup for large catering orders. The boxes are too big. You need to go inside.

Step four. Bring help. One person cannot carry trays for twenty people. Bring a friend or family member.

Step five. Bring a cooler with ice packs if you are picking up more than thirty minutes before serving time. The food will stay hot for about an hour in the warming bags. After that, it starts to cool.

Step six. Check your order before you leave. Open every box. Count every tray. Make sure you have everything. It is much easier to fix mistakes at the restaurant than at home with fifteen hungry people staring at you.

Step seven. Thank the staff. Catering orders are hard work. The kitchen staff stayed late to prepare your food. Be kind. Be grateful. Tip well.

The Serving Strategy. How to Present Catering Food Like a Pro

You picked up the food. Now you need to serve it. Here is how to make it look like you cooked it yourself.

Transfer to your own bowls. Do not serve from the aluminum trays. Transfer the pasta to your own ceramic bowls. Transfer the salad to your own wooden bowl. The food will look homemade.

Garnish everything. Sprinkle fresh parsley on the pasta. Add lemon wedges next to the chicken parm. Add a few cherry tomatoes to the salad tray. Small touches make a big difference.

Warm the breadsticks. Put the breadsticks in your oven at three hundred degrees for five minutes before serving. They will come out warm and soft. Your guests will think you baked them.

Set up a pasta bar. Put the pasta in one bowl. Put the sauce in a gravy boat next to it. Let people serve themselves. It is interactive. It is fun. It looks impressive.

Label everything. Write “Fettuccine Alfredo” on a small card. Write “Marinara” on another card. Write “Gluten Free Pasta” if you have it. Your guests will appreciate knowing what they are eating.

Keep food warm. Use chafing dishes if you have them. If not, put the aluminum trays on baking sheets in a warm oven (two hundred degrees) until serving time.

The Leftover Strategy. What to Do with Extra Food

You ordered too much. Now you have a refrigerator full of pasta. Here is what to do.

Freeze individual portions. Put one cup of pasta in a freezer bag. Lay it flat. Stack the bags. You now have ready made meals for the next month.

Make pasta frittata. Chop up leftover pasta. Mix with eggs and cheese. Bake in a muffin tin. Pasta frittata muffins for breakfast.

Make pasta salad. Cold pasta with vegetables and vinaigrette. Perfect for lunch.

Give it away. Send leftovers home with your guests. They will love you for it.

The most important rule. Do not leave food out for more than two hours. After two hours at room temperature, bacteria grows. Refrigerate or freeze within two hours of serving.

The Special Diet Accommodations for Large Groups

You have vegetarians. You have vegans. You have gluten free people. You have keto people. You have no idea how to feed everyone.

Here is how to handle special diets with Olive Garden catering.

For vegetarians. Order a Five Cheese Ziti tray. No meat. All cheese. Vegetarians will love it. Also order a large salad with no meat. Keep the cheese on the side.

For vegans. Order a spaghetti with marinara tray. Ask for no cheese. The pasta has egg. Some vegans are okay with this. Some are not. Ask your vegan guests. Also order a large salad with no cheese and no croutons. Light Italian dressing on the side.

For gluten free. Order the gluten free rotini pasta. It costs extra. You must order it separately. It is not part of the standard catering trays. Call ahead. Ask the manager.

For keto. Your keto guests are on their own. They will eat the meatballs and salad. Do not stress about them.

The best strategy. Order a variety. One meat based pasta. One cheese based pasta. One plain marinara pasta. A large salad. Everyone will find something they can eat.

Frequently Asked Questions for Large Group Hosting

How far in advance do I need to order catering?

Three days for normal occasions. Two weeks for holidays.

Does Olive Garden deliver catering?

Some locations offer delivery for an extra fee. Most do not. You will probably need to pick it up.

How long does the food stay hot?

About one hour in the warming bags. After that, transfer to your own oven at two hundred degrees.

Can I order half trays?

Yes. Half trays feed four to six people. Call your local store to ask about half tray options.

Does Olive Garden provide plates and napkins?

Yes. Ask when you order. Some locations charge a small fee. Some include them for free.

Can I customize the pasta bars?

Yes. You choose the pastas. You choose the sauces. You can also add vegetables or extra cheese for an additional cost.

What is the cheapest way to feed a large group?

The Large Pasta Bar at seventy five dollars for eight to ten people. Seven fifty to nine thirty seven per person.

What is the most popular catering item?

Lasagna Tray. Everyone loves lasagna. It travels well. It reheats well. It is festive.

Can I order catering for a small group of four people?

Yes. Order a Small Pasta Bar for forty five dollars. You will have leftovers for days.

Does Olive Garden cater breakfast?

No. Lunch and dinner only.

Your Large Group Hosting Action Plan

Step one. Count your guests. Know exactly how many people you are feeding.

Step two. Choose your date. Avoid major holidays if possible. Catering slots fill up fast.

Step three. Call your local Olive Garden. Ask to speak with the catering manager. Tell them your date, your guest count, and your budget.

Step four. Choose your menu. Pasta bars are the best value. Individual trays are more traditional.

Step five. Place your order. Pay over the phone or online. Get a confirmation number.

Step six. Two days before your event, call to confirm your order. Make sure nothing has changed.

Step seven. On the day of your event, pick up your food at the agreed time. Bring help. Bring a cooler for cold items.

Step eight. At home, transfer food to your own serving bowls. Garnish. Warm the breadsticks.

Step nine. Set up a buffet. Pasta. Sauce. Salad. Breadsticks. Dessert. Let people serve themselves.

Step ten. Enjoy your party. You did not cook. You did not stress. You are a hero.

Final Word to Holiday Hosts

Hosting is hard. The pressure is real. Everyone is counting on you. The turkey is dry. The mashed potatoes are lumpy. The gravy is thin.

Stop torturing yourself. Order Olive Garden catering. The food is consistent. The portions are generous. The prices are reasonable.

Your family does not care if you cooked the lasagna yourself. They care that there is enough food. They care that the food is hot. They care that you are not crying in the kitchen.

Olive Garden gives you freedom. Freedom from cooking. Freedom from cleaning. Freedom from stress.

Order the pasta bars. Pick up the trays. Set up the buffet. Pour yourself a glass of wine.

You are hosting. You are relaxed. You are the hero.

Happy holidays.