Olive Garden Side of Italian Sausage

About This Dish

Olive Garden Side of Italian Sausage is a $4.29 order of two Italian sausage links served with homemade marinara, listed on the Sides, Sauces & Extras menu with 510 calories, 42 grams of fat and 1,460 milligrams of sodium. It is the same seasoned pork sausage that goes into Olive Garden's meat sauce and Zuppa Toscana, cooked whole and served on its own or added to a pasta. The classic pairing is Spaghetti with Marinara or Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, where two sausages turn a $13.99 plate into the equivalent of the sausage version of Spaghetti & Meatballs for less than the $18.28 starting price.

Of the three protein sides Olive Garden added in 2026, this is the heaviest, more than double the calories of the Side of Crispy Chicken Fritta ($4.29, 240 calories) and the Side of Crispy Shrimp Fritta ($4.49, 200 calories), because sausage is fattier than breaded chicken or shrimp. It is not breaded, so it is naturally free of gluten-containing ingredients, although the marinara it comes with should be confirmed with your server if you are ordering from the gluten-sensitive menu. Two Italian sausages are also one of the add-on choices for Create Your Own Pasta, and for groups a catering portion of eight sliced sausages that serves 4 to 6 is $22.49.