Olive Garden Lasagna Fritta: Price, Calories, and a Copycat Recipe

Olive Garden Lasagna Fritta is one of those dishes that sounds slightly mad until you taste it. Take lasagna, coat it in a crunchy crumb, fry it, and serve it with two sauces for dipping. The result is a crispy, cheesy, rich starter that many diners end up sharing or not sharing.

This guide covers what it is, what’s in it, how much it costs, and the calories. You’ll also get a full copycat recipe with fried, air fryer, and oven methods.

A quick note for UK readers: Olive Garden is an American chain with no UK restaurants. Prices below are in US dollars, so treat them as a guide.

Want to compare it with the rest of the starters? See the full Olive Garden menu with prices.

What Is Lasagna Fritta at Olive Garden?

Lasagna fritta is a lasagna fritta Olive Garden appetizer made from fried, Parmesan-breaded lasagna.

Olive Garden tops the crispy pieces with Parmesan and meat sauce, then serves creamy Alfredo alongside. The meat sauce is made with pan-seared beef and Italian sausage.

Think of it as fried lasagna in bite-friendly portions. It is a restaurant appetizer built for sharing, though it is filling enough to stand in for a small main.

What Is Lasagna Fritta Made Of?

The core idea is simple: cooked lasagna noodles layered with cheese and sauce, chilled until firm, then cut, breaded, and fried.

Based on Olive Garden’s own description and common menu breakdowns, the main parts are:

• Lasagna sheets layered with a cheese blend (typically ricotta and mozzarella)
• A Parmesan cheese breadcrumb coating
• Meat sauce on top
• Alfredo sauce served on the side
• A sprinkle of grated Parmesan to finish

Ingredients can vary slightly by location. The dish contains milk, wheat, egg and soy, and it is not gluten-free.

What Does Olive Garden’s Lasagna Fritta Taste Like?

The outside is crunchy and savory from the Parmesan crumb. Inside, the pasta is soft and the cheese is rich and creamy.

The meat sauce adds a tomato-and-beef tang. The Alfredo brings a smooth, garlicky richness.

It is heavier than fried mozzarella because you get pasta, cheese, meat sauce, and cream in every bite. Most people find one order is plenty for two or three.

What Sauce Comes With Lasagna Fritta?

Two sauces are involved:

• Meat sauce spooned over the top
• Creamy Alfredo dipping sauce served alongside

Some menu pages describe the dish as coming with marinara sauce and Alfredo instead. Sauce details can differ between menu versions and regions, so check the current description when you order.

If you’re making your own lasagna fritta dipping sauce, a warm jar of Alfredo and a bowl of marinara covers both options.

Olive Garden Lasagna Fritta Menu Price

Here is where it gets messy, because prices depend on location and the date of the menu.

• The official Olive Garden listing shows $11.49
• Your site’s menu page lists it at around $10.99 to $11.29
• Some third-party trackers show higher prices, up to $14.99 in certain markets

In short, expect to pay somewhere between $11 and $15 in the US.

For context, here are a few other starters from the Olive Garden appetizers menu for comparison:

Appetizer	Approx. price
Fried Mozzarella	$8.79
Stuffed Ziti Fritta	$9.29
Spinach-Artichoke Dip	$10.99
Meatballs Parmigiana	$11.29
Calamari	$11.99

Prices on the last four lines follow the order shown on the menu page snippet and may have shifted. Always confirm at your local restaurant.

How Many Calories Are in Olive Garden Lasagna Fritta?

According to the official Olive Garden listing, one order has 1,130 calories.

Some third-party sites show far lower figures, such as 420 calories. Those numbers appear to be for a different portion or are simply wrong, so go with the official figure.

If you’re searching for Olive Garden Lasagna Fritta nutrition facts, remember three things:

• The 1,130 calories cover the whole appetizer, not a single piece
• It is designed for sharing, so a portion for one person is much smaller
• Extra dipping sauce adds more (Alfredo is the heavier one)

Split between three people, that works out to roughly 375 calories each before any breadsticks.

Is Lasagna Fritta Still on the Olive Garden Menu?

Yes. Current listings show it as a regular menu item rather than a limited-time special, available for dine-in, takeout and delivery in most markets.

Menus change, though, and availability can differ by restaurant. Check the Olive Garden app or call your local branch if you’re planning a visit around it.

Also note that it is a single standard size, with no customisation options.

What Is the Difference Between Lasagna Fritta and Fried Ravioli?

Both are fried pasta appetisers, but they are quite different.

• Lasagna fritta uses layered lasagna sheets with cheese and sauce, cut into rectangles
• Fried ravioli often called toasted ravioli, uses small stuffed pasta squares, usually served with marinara
• Lasagna fritta is larger and richer and comes with Alfredo
• Fried ravioli is more of a snack-sized bite

If you’re after another fried pasta option at Olive Garden, Stuffed Ziti Fritta (tubes filled with ricotta and deep-fried) is the closest sibling.

How to Make Olive Garden Lasagna Fritta at Home

Here is how to make copycat Olive Garden Lasagna Fritta at home. It is a project, but most of the work is done the day before.

The key trick: make the lasagna ahead and chill it overnight. Warm lasagna falls apart. Cold, firm lasagna holds together through the breading and frying.

Ingredients

For the lasagna:

• 9 dried lasagna sheets
• 500g meat sauce (beef mince and Italian sausage)
• 400g ricotta
• 200g grated mozzarella
• 50g grated Parmesan
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

For the coating:

• 100g plain flour
• 2 eggs beaten with 2 tbsp milk (your egg wash)
• 100g panko
• 50g Italian breadcrumbs
• 50g grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Chopped parsley

To finish:

• About 1 litre of frying oil
• Warm Alfredo sauce
• Extra meat sauce
• Grated Parmesan and parsley

Method

1. Cook the lasagna sheets until just tender, then lay them flat on a clean tea towel.
2. Mix the filling. Combine the ricotta, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, and half the Parmesan.
3. Build the layers in a deep dish, alternating sheets, ricotta mix, meat sauce, and mozzarella. Finish with cheese.
4. Bake at 180°C (160°C fan) for about 35 minutes.
5. Chill overnight. Do not skip this.
6. Cut into rectangles roughly 5 cm by 8 cm, about 2.5 cm thick.
7. Set up your station: flour, egg wash, then the crumb mix (panko, Italian breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and seasoning).
8. Dredge each piece in flour, then egg, then the crumbs, pressing gently.
9. Rest the breaded pieces in the fridge for 15 minutes so the coating sticks.
10. Fry in a deep fryer or heavy pan at 175°C for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown.
11. Drain on kitchen paper, then top with meat sauce, Parmesan, and parsley.
12. Serve with warm Alfredo.

Use a thermometer if you can. Oil that is too cool makes the coating greasy, and oil that is too hot browns the outside before the middle warms through.

What Oil Is Best for Frying Lasagna?

Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point. Good choices are:

• Sunflower oil
• Rapeseed (canola) oil
• Vegetable oil

Avoid olive oil for deep frying. It burns at these temperatures and adds a flavor that does not suit the dish.

Can You Make Lasagna Fritta in an Air Fryer?

Yes. The lasagna fritta air fryer method gives a crunchy finish with far less oil.

1. Bread the chilled pieces as above
2. Spray generously with oil on all sides
3. Cook at 200°C for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway
4. Top and serve straight away

The texture is a little drier than deep-fried, but the crunch is very good. Do not overcrowd the basket, or the crumbs will steam instead of crisp.

Can You Bake Lasagna Fritta Instead of Frying It?

Yes. Oven baking is the easiest hands-off method.

• Place the breaded pieces on a rack over a baking tray
• Spray with oil
• Bake at 220°C (200°C fan) for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once

The rack matters. It lets hot air reach the underside so the base does not go soggy.

Can You Freeze Lasagna Fritta?

Yes, and it is a good make-ahead trick.

• Freeze the breaded, unfried pieces on a tray until solid
• Transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months
• Cook from frozen, adding a few minutes to the time

For the air fryer, allow about 10 to 12 minutes at 200°C. For deep frying, use slightly cooler oil (around 165°C) so the centre heats through.

Leftover cooked pieces can be reheated in the air fryer or oven, but they will not be quite as crisp as fresh.

Tips for Crispy Results Every Time

A few small details make a big difference:

• Chill the lasagna fully before cutting
• Pat the surface dry before flouring
• Press the crumbs on firmly
• Rest the breaded pieces before cooking
• Fry in small batches to keep the oil temperature steady

What to Serve With Lasagna Fritta

It is rich, so balance it with something fresh.

• A crisp green salad with a sharp dressing
• Breadsticks (Olive Garden’s are famous for a reason)
• A light soup such as minestrone
• Sparkling water or a dry white wine

You can also see how it fits into value bundles on the Olive Garden deals and 2 for $25 page, which is worth a look if you’re planning a full meal.

More Olive Garden Favorites

If this article has you craving more, try these:

• Fried Mozzarella: golden-breaded cheese with marinara, a lighter starter than lasagna fritta. See the Olive Garden fried mozzarella price.
• Stuffed Ziti Fritta: ricotta-filled pasta tubes, deep-fried and served with marinara and Alfredo. Check the Stuffed Ziti Fritta details.
• Lasagna Classico: the classic baked version with meat sauce, ricotta and mozzarella.
• Chocolate Lasagna: a dessert made with chocolate pudding, brownie and whipped topping.

FAQS

Is Olive Garden lasagna fritta gluten-free?

No. It contains wheat in both the pasta and the breadcrumb coating.

Is it spicy?

No. It is rich and savoury rather than hot.

Can I order it for takeaway?

Yes, it is generally available for dine-in, takeout and delivery, depending on the location.

Does it come in different sizes?

No. There is one standard appetizer size.

Conclusion

Olive Garden Lasagna Fritta turns a comfort-food classic into something crunchy and shareable. It costs around $11 to $15 in the US and comes in at 1,130 calories, so it is best treated as a sharing plate.

At home, the secret is simple: chill the lasagna properly, coat it well, and use the right cooking temperature. Whether you fry it, air fry it or bake it, you can get very close to the restaurant version.

For current prices on this and every other dish, browse the full Olive Garden menu with prices before your next visit.