Olive Garden Side of Meat Sauce (Large)
Olive Garden Side of Meat Sauce (Large) costs $9.49 for a large container of the house meat sauce at 600 calories total, made with pan seared beef and Italian sausage. It is the sauce from the lasagna and spaghetti with meat sauce, sold by the pint.
The Olive Garden Side of Meat Sauce (Large) is a sides & sauces item on the Olive Garden Menu, priced at $9.49 ($8.49 to $11.29 depending on your state). A standard serving contains 600 calories.
Ingredients Summary
Ground beef and Italian sausage simmered with tomatoes, garlic, onion and herbs. Breadsticks not included.
Taste Profile
Hearty and savory with a fennel note from the sausage and a sweetness from the tomato. It clings to rigatoni and lasagna sheets and works as a sloppy joe base.
The full container is 600 calories, roughly 300 per serving, with most of the fat from the sausage.
Healthier alternative: The large marinara at 290 calories for the container.
“The sauce that makes the lasagna classico, at takeout prices. A pint over a pound of rigatoni feeds four.”
Menu Hacks & Pro Tips
Dietary Information
Contains beef and pork. The allergen guide flags soy; no dairy, wheat or gluten is listed for the sauce itself.
Nutritional Facts
The official Olive Garden guide lists 600 calories for the Side of Meat Sauce (Large). Full macros for this exact serving are not published; the closest listed dish is shown on the nutrition facts page.
Nutritional values are based on standard recipes and may vary by location or customization. Compare this item with the rest of the menu on our complete Olive Garden nutrition facts page.
Most Ordered Together
Lasagna classico is the dish this sauce is built for.
Allergen Information
The official Olive Garden allergen guide lists soy for the Side of Meat Sauce (Large). Kitchens share fryers and prep areas, so cross-contact is possible. See the full Olive Garden allergen menu.
Compare Items
Side of Meat Sauce (Large) Price by State
Olive Garden prices differ by market. The typical price of $9.49 is the most common one across the states below; California, New York and Alaska run highest.
| State | Price | vs typical |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $9.49 | — |
| Alaska | $10.29 | +$0.80 |
| Arizona | $9.99 | +$0.50 |
| Arkansas | $8.49 | −$1.00 |
| California | $11.29 | +$1.80 |
| Colorado | $10.29 | +$0.80 |
| Connecticut | $9.79 | +$0.30 |
| Delaware | $9.49 | — |
| Florida | $9.79 | +$0.30 |
| Georgia | $8.49 | −$1.00 |
| Idaho | $9.49 | — |
| Illinois | $9.99 | +$0.50 |
| Indiana | $9.49 | — |
| Iowa | $9.49 | — |
| Kansas | $9.49 | — |
| Kentucky | $9.49 | — |
| Louisiana | $8.49 | −$1.00 |
| Maine | $9.99 | +$0.50 |
| Maryland | $9.49 | — |
| Massachusetts | $9.99 | +$0.50 |
| Michigan | $8.49 | −$1.00 |
| Minnesota | $11.29 | +$1.80 |
| Mississippi | $8.49 | −$1.00 |
| Missouri | $8.49 | −$1.00 |
| Montana | $9.79 | +$0.30 |
| Nebraska | $8.49 | −$1.00 |
| Nevada | $9.99 | +$0.50 |
| New Hampshire | $9.49 | — |
| New Jersey | $9.49 | — |
| New Mexico | $8.49 | −$1.00 |
| New York | $9.99 | +$0.50 |
| North Carolina | $8.49 | −$1.00 |
| North Dakota | $9.79 | +$0.30 |
| Ohio | $9.49 | — |
| Oklahoma | $9.49 | — |
| Oregon | $11.29 | +$1.80 |
| Pennsylvania | $9.49 | — |
| Rhode Island | $9.79 | +$0.30 |
| South Carolina | $9.49 | — |
| South Dakota | $8.49 | −$1.00 |
| Tennessee | $9.49 | — |
| Texas | $9.49 | — |
| Utah | $9.49 | — |
| Vermont | $9.49 | — |
| Virginia | $9.49 | — |
| Washington | $11.29 | +$1.80 |
| West Virginia | $9.49 | — |
| Wisconsin | $9.49 | — |
| Wyoming | $9.49 | — |
Common Questions
How much is a large meat sauce at Olive Garden?
The large container costs $9.49 at the typical US price.
How many calories are in the large meat sauce?
The full container has 600 calories, about 300 per serving.
What meat is in Olive Garden meat sauce?
Pan seared ground beef and Italian sausage, according to the menu.
Is the meat sauce gluten free?
The allergen guide lists soy only for meat sauce, no wheat or gluten.
Can I use it for lasagna?
Yes. It is the same meat sauce used in the lasagna classico.