Olive Garden Fried Mozzarella (Serves 4-6)

About This Dish

The Olive Garden Fried Mozzarella catering pan is the party-size version of the restaurant's most popular appetizer: 30 pieces of breaded, fried mozzarella served with marinara sauce for $31.29, listed as serving 4 to 6. The whole pan has 3,450 calories, 212 grams of fat and 8,540 milligrams of sodium, plus about 110 calories for the marinara. It is on the Catering menu under appetizers and is available for pickup and delivery with the rest of a catering order.

Compared with the single appetizer, which is $9.29 for a smaller portion, the pan costs a little more than three appetizer orders but delivers 30 pieces, which is why it is the usual choice for game-day spreads and office lunches alongside the Spinach-Artichoke Dip pan ($25.79) and the Toasted Beef Ravioli pan ($31.99). Fried mozzarella is best eaten within about 30 minutes of pickup; if it needs to wait, keep it uncovered so the breading does not steam soft, and re-crisp on a baking sheet in a 400°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes. The marinara reheats in the microwave. Extra dipping sauces, including the Alfredo and five cheese marinara sauces that serve 8, can be added from the catering sides list.