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Updated August 5, 2026
Spaghetti & Meatballs

Olive Garden Spaghetti & Meatballs

Starting at $18.28 970 cal | 1,120 cal Classic EntréesLunch-Sized FavoritesLighter Portions

Spaghetti and meatballs with your choice of marinara or meat sauce.

4.7 · 11 ratings
Olive Garden Menu View on OliveGarden.com

About This Dish

Spaghetti and Meatballs at Olive Garden is a weekday lunch special available 11am to 3pm, priced at $18.28 and delivering 970 to 1,120 calories per serving with two large meatballs over spaghetti. The sauce is available in either the traditional homemade meat sauce or marinara, both prepared fresh daily with garlic and herbs. At 52 grams of fat and 2,350 milligrams of sodium, it is a filling but not extreme individual pasta option that covers the full classic Italian-American plate in a single order.

The two meatballs included with this dish are the same housemade beef meatballs used throughout the menu — seasoned with Parmesan, Italian herbs, and breadcrumbs. The choice between meat sauce and marinara changes the character of the dish significantly: meat sauce adds a second layer of beef flavor from the pan-seared beef and Italian sausage base, while marinara keeps the meatballs as the sole protein element and lets a brighter tomato flavor come through. Both are fully valid choices depending on guest preference.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving

970 Calories
52g Total Fat
2350mg Sodium

* Nutritional values are approximate and may vary. Last updated Aug 5, 2026

Spaghetti & Meatballs Sizes & Prices

OptionPriceCalories
Spaghetti with Marinara & Meatballs $18.28 970 cal
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce & Meatballs $18.28 1,120 cal

Spaghetti & Meatballs Price by Menu

The same dish is offered on more than one Olive Garden menu — portion and price differ.

MenuListed asPriceCalories
Classic Entrées Spaghetti & Meatballs Starting at $18.28 970 cal | 1,120 cal
Lighter Portions Spaghetti & Meatballs Starting at $14.49 690 cal | 800 cal
Lunch-Sized Favorites Spaghetti & Meatballs Starting at $12.49 800 cal | 690 cal

How to Copycat Olive Garden Spaghetti & Meatballs at Home?

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Total: 45 min Easy

The meatballs at Olive Garden are significantly larger than what most people make at home — approximately 2 inches in diameter and weighing close to 3 ounces each. This size gives them a tender, moist interior with a caramelized baked surface that holds up to simmering in marinara without falling apart. Smaller meatballs overcook faster and lose their juiciness in the sauce.

For the copycat recipe, the key is using 80/20 ground beef (not lean), keeping the breadcrumbs at exactly 1/4 cup per pound to maintain structural integrity, and baking rather than pan-frying. Baked meatballs stay rounder, cook more evenly, and absorb the marinara during baking in a way that pan-fried meatballs with a sealed crust do not.

Ingredients

4 servings

Meatballs

Serving

Instructions

0 / 4

  1. Preheat oven to 375F. Gently combine all meatball ingredients until just mixed.

    5 min

  2. Form into 8 balls approximately 2 inches in diameter. Nestle in a baking dish filled with marinara.

    7 min

  3. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until meatballs reach 165F internally and the sauce is bubbling.

    30 min

    Use a meat thermometer. A 2-inch meatball takes longer than most cooks expect. Under-baked meatballs that are grey inside are a common home mistake.

  4. Cook spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Serve 2 meatballs plus extra marinara over spaghetti. Finish with Parmesan.

    10 min

Pro Tips

  • Room-temperature meat mixes more easily and produces a more tender meatball. Take the beef out of the refrigerator 15 minutes before mixing.
  • Resist pressing the meatballs into compact, tight balls. A light hand produces a tender interior.
  • Make a double batch and freeze half the meatballs after baking. Reheat directly in marinara sauce from frozen.

Variations

Beef and Pork Mix

Use 3/4 lb each of ground beef and ground pork for a more tender, juicier meatball with additional richness.

Turkey Meatballs

Substitute ground turkey for a lower-fat version. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the mix to prevent dryness.

Serving Ideas

  • Plate two meatballs per person over spaghetti with extra marinara spooned over
  • Top with fresh basil and a generous dusting of Parmesan
  • Garlic breadsticks alongside for scooping extra sauce
  • A glass of Chianti Classico is the traditional pairing

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Find Spaghetti & Meatballs Near You

Visit one of Olive Garden's 900+ locations to enjoy the Spaghetti & Meatballs at Starting at $18.28.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Spaghetti and Meatballs is priced at $18.28 and is available weekdays from 11am to 3pm. It includes two meatballs served over spaghetti with your choice of meat sauce or marinara.
The dish contains 970 calories with marinara sauce or 1,120 calories with meat sauce. It has 52 grams of fat and 2,350 milligrams of sodium per serving. The two meatballs account for a significant portion of the calorie total.
Spaghetti and Meatballs is a weekday lunch special available Monday through Friday from 11am to 3pm. For dinner or weekend service, the restaurant offers Spaghetti with Meat Sauce or Marinara as the closest related entrée on the evening menu.
Make the meatballs by combining 1 lb of ground beef with Italian breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, salt, and Italian herbs. Form into large 2-inch balls and bake at 375F for 20 minutes in marinara sauce. Serve two meatballs per plate over spaghetti topped with additional warm sauce.
Olive Garden's meatballs are made from scratch daily at each location using seasoned ground beef. They are not from a frozen pre-made product. The housemade preparation is part of the restaurant's commitment to fresh daily sauce and protein preparation.

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