Olive Garden Lighter Portions Menu
The Olive Garden lighter portions menu serves 8 classic entrées in a smaller size: fettuccine alfredo, spicy alfredo fettuccine, chicken parmigiana, lasagna classico, spaghetti and meatballs, five cheese ziti al forno, cheese ravioli and eggplant parmigiana, priced from $17.29 and running 440 to 1,000 calories. It is the same recipe as dinner at roughly half the plate and a third less money.
Lighter portions are Olive Garden's answer to the 1,200 calorie pasta: the same dish, cooked the same way, in a portion that lands between 440 and 1,000 calories. They are available all day, unlike the weekday lunch sizes, and they still come with unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks when you dine in. This page lists every lighter portion with the typical US price, the calorie count from the official guide, and how it compares with the full dinner version on each item page.
Olive Garden Lighter Portions Menu 2026
Lighter Portions
The eight lighter portion entrées. Cards show the From price; each item page lists the dinner, lighter and lunch sizes with their own calories.
1020 cal Chicken Parmigiana
1330 cal Spicy Alfredo Fettuccine
940 cal Lasagna Classico
970 cal Spaghetti & Meatballs
1220 cal Fettuccine Alfredo
1070 cal Eggplant Parmigiana
1170 cal Five Cheese Ziti al Forno
750 cal Cheese Ravioli
How Olive Garden Lighter Portions Work
A lighter portion is the same recipe served on a smaller plate. Lasagna classico drops from 940 calories at dinner to 500; chicken parmigiana goes from 1020 to 630 with one breast instead of two; fettuccine alfredo goes from 1220 to 920. Prices fall by about a third, and the included soup or salad and breadsticks stay unlimited.
Lighter portions are served at any time of day, which separates them from the lunch sized favorites that end at 3 PM on weekdays. The lunch and lighter sizes are the same portion; the lunch menu is a dollar or two cheaper.
Lighter Portion Calories Compared
Cheese ravioli with marinara is the lightest at 440 calories, then lasagna classico at 500, chicken parmigiana, five cheese ziti al forno and eggplant parmigiana at 630 to 660, spaghetti and meatballs at 690, and the two alfredos at 920 and 1,000. Even the alfredo lighter portions cut 300 calories from the dinner size.
Protein stays high because the meat and cheese scale with the plate: the lighter chicken parmigiana keeps a full breast and about 40 g of protein.
Lighter Portions vs Lunch Sized Favorites
The two menus overlap almost completely. Lunch sized favorites run weekdays from opening to 3 PM and cost less; lighter portions run all day at a slightly higher price. Order from the lunch menu on a weekday afternoon and from this menu on evenings and weekends.
Olive Garden Lighter Portions Menu with Prices
Typical US prices for every lighter portions item, sorted from cheapest to most expensive, with the lowest and highest price we found across 49 states.
| Item | Price | By state | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spicy Alfredo Fettuccine | $16.99 | $16.79 to $20.29 | 1330 |
| Fettuccine Alfredo | $16.99 | $16.79 to $20.29 | 1220 |
| Cheese Ravioli | $17.29 | $16.99 to $20.49 | 750 |
| Eggplant Parmigiana | $17.79 | $17.49 to $20.79 | 1070 |
| Five Cheese Ziti al Forno | $17.99 | $17.49 to $20.79 | 1170 |
| Spaghetti & Meatballs | $18.28 | $17.98 to $23.78 | 970 |
| Lasagna Classico | $18.49 | $17.99 to $22.49 | 940 |
| Chicken Parmigiana | $20.49 | $20.29 to $24.79 | 1020 |
Typical US price = the most common price across our state sample. Prices are higher in California, New York and Alaska. Verify with your local restaurant before ordering.
Olive Garden Lighter Portions Nutrition Facts
Calories and macros per serving as listed in the official Olive Garden nutrition guide. Use the calculator to add items together.
| Item | Cal | Fat (g) | Sat fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Sugar (g) | Protein (g) | Sodium (mg) | Fiber (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Parmigiana | 1020 | 51 | 14 | 80 | 13 | 64 | 3300 | 7 |
| Spicy Alfredo Fettuccine | 1330 | 99 | 60 | 82 | 9 | 30 | 1410 | 3 |
| Lasagna Classico | 940 | 55 | 30 | 61 | 11 | 54 | 2260 | 6 |
| Spaghetti & Meatballs | 970 | 62 | 27 | 92 | 17 | 49 | 2110 | 7 |
| Fettuccine Alfredo | 1220 | 89 | 55 | 78 | 5 | 27 | 1210 | 3 |
| Eggplant Parmigiana | 1070 | 58 | 14 | 108 | 20 | 35 | 2440 | 11 |
| Five Cheese Ziti al Forno | 1170 | 69 | 36 | 98 | 16 | 46 | 2440 | 6 |
| Cheese Ravioli | 750 | 38 | 19 | 63 | 8 | 41 | 2370 | 5 |
Source: Olive Garden nutrition guide (US restaurants). Values are for the standard dinner portion unless the item is a lunch or kids dish. Open the nutrition calculator to total a meal.
Healthier Ordering Tips for Lighter Portions
- Cheese ravioli with marinara (440 cal) and lasagna classico (500 cal) are the two lightest choices.
- Pair with minestrone rather than a cream soup to keep the whole meal under 700 calories.
- The alfredo lighter portions still pass 900 calories; choose a tomato based dish if calories are the goal.
- Weekday lunch pricing is lower for the same portion, so order before 3 PM when you can.
Best Lighter Portions for Different Customers
| If you want | Order |
|---|---|
| Lowest calories | Cheese ravioli lighter portion, 440 calories. |
| Comfort food | Lasagna classico lighter portion, 500 calories. |
| Protein | Chicken parmigiana lighter portion, one breast, 630 calories. |
| Vegetarians | Eggplant parmigiana, cheese ravioli with marinara or fettuccine alfredo. |
| Alfredo without the full plate | Fettuccine alfredo lighter portion, 920 calories. |
Allergy and Ingredient Note
Allergens match the full sized versions: all contain wheat and gluten, the cheese dishes contain dairy, and cheese ravioli contains egg. There is no gluten sensitive lighter portion; see the gluten sensitive menu for rotini based plates.
Final Thoughts
Lighter portions are the right size for most appetites at Olive Garden, and they cost less. The only reason to order the full dinner plate is a planned second meal at home; otherwise the lighter portion plus the free soup or salad is dinner.
Find Lighter Portions Near You
Every Olive Garden serves this menu. Find the closest restaurant, check today's hours and get directions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Olive Garden lighter portions?
Smaller servings of eight classic entrées, served all day, with 440 to 1,000 calories per plate and prices about a third lower than the dinner size.
How much do lighter portions cost at Olive Garden?
Lighter portions start at $17.29 for the cheese ravioli and run a few dollars higher for chicken parmigiana and lasagna classico, all below the dinner price.
Which lighter portion has the fewest calories?
Cheese ravioli with marinara at 440 calories, then lasagna classico at 500.
Are lighter portions available at dinner?
Yes. Lighter portions are served all day, every day, unlike lunch sized favorites.
Do lighter portions come with soup or salad?
Yes. Dine in lighter portions include unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks.
Is a lighter portion the same as a lunch portion?
The portion size is the same. The lunch menu prices it lower but only runs weekdays until 3 PM.
Can I add toppings to a lighter portion?
Yes. Grilled chicken, shrimp, meatballs and other toppings can be added for an extra charge.