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Lasagna Fritta

Olive Garden Lasagna Fritta

$11.49 1,130 cal Appetizers

Fried parmesan-breaded lasagna, topped with parmesan cheese and meat sauce**, with creamy alfredo. **Our meat sauce is made with pan-seared beef and Italian sausage.
Olive Garden Menu View on OliveGarden.com

About This Dish

Lasagna Fritta at Olive Garden is a signature fried appetizer priced at $11.49, featuring Parmesan-breaded lasagna portions fried until crispy, topped with Parmesan cheese and meat sauce, and served with creamy Alfredo alongside. The dish totals 1,130 calories with 76 grams of fat and 1,800 milligrams of sodium — relatively moderate sodium for a fried appetizer. The concept takes the restaurant's classic Lasagna Classico and transforms it into a fried finger-food format that contrasts the crispy exterior with the soft, layered pasta and cheese interior.

This is one of Olive Garden's most creative appetizers because it uses the same lasagna recipe found in the Classic Entrées section but applies a completely different preparation technique. The dual-sauce presentation — meat sauce on top and Alfredo alongside for dipping — gives guests the flavors of both types of Italian-American pasta sauces in a single appetizer. It is best shared among 2 to 3 guests and pairs well with a lighter pasta entrée to follow.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving

1130 Calories
76g Total Fat
1800mg Sodium

* Nutritional values are approximate and may vary. Last updated March 2026.

How to Copycat Olive Garden Lasagna Fritta at Home?

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

Olive Garden Lasagna Fritta is one of the most clever menu items the restaurant has developed — taking a slow-cooked, layered baked pasta and converting it into a fried snack format. The concept requires one technical insight: lasagna must be made ahead, refrigerated overnight, and sliced cold. Warm lasagna crumbles when handled; cold lasagna holds its layers intact through the breading and frying process.

The Parmesan-enriched breadcrumb coating is what gives this dish its restaurant-quality finish. Standard breadcrumbs provide a blank canvas; adding finely grated Parmesan to the breadcrumbs introduces a nutty, savory complexity to the crust that pairs specifically well with the meat sauce topping.

Ingredients

4 servings

Lasagna Base

Breading

Topping and Dipping

Instructions

0 / 5

  1. Slice the cold lasagna into 2x3 inch rectangles about 1 inch thick. Keep refrigerated until ready to bread.

    5 min

    The lasagna must be cold and firm. If it crumbles at all during slicing, return it to the refrigerator for another hour.

  2. Set up a breading station: flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in a second, and combined Italian breadcrumbs and Parmesan in a third.

    3 min

  3. Dredge each lasagna piece in flour, then egg, then press firmly into the Parmesan breadcrumbs. Freeze for 15 to 20 minutes.

    25 min

  4. Heat oil to 375F. Fry pieces in batches of 3 to 4 for 2 to 3 minutes per side until deeply golden. Drain on paper towels.

    15 min

    Frying cold breaded lasagna means the interior is slower to heat. Check by pressing gently — you should feel warmth through the crust after 3 minutes per side.

  5. Top with warm meat sauce and extra Parmesan. Serve with Alfredo sauce on the side for dipping.

    2 min

Pro Tips

  • Use leftover lasagna for this recipe. Day-old lasagna is denser, drier, and holds together better during frying than freshly made.
  • The double-sauce presentation is key to the experience. Guests should dip in Alfredo between bites topped with meat sauce for the full flavor range.
  • Do not skip the freeze step. Breaded pieces at refrigerator temperature can still soften enough to fall apart in hot oil.

Variations

Vegetarian Lasagna Fritta

Use a spinach and ricotta lasagna as the base instead of meat lasagna. Top with marinara instead of meat sauce.

Air Fryer Version

Brush breaded lasagna pieces generously with olive oil spray. Air fry at 400F for 8 minutes, flipping halfway. Less crispy but significantly less oil.

Serving Ideas

  • Plate on a wooden board with both sauces in ramekins alongside
  • Dust with extra grated Parmesan immediately before serving
  • A glass of Barbera d'Asti pairs well with the fried cheese and meat sauce combination
  • Serve immediately — the crust softens within 5 minutes of plating

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Find Lasagna Fritta Near You

Visit one of Olive Garden's 900+ locations to enjoy the Lasagna Fritta at $11.49.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Lasagna Fritta is priced at $11.49 per order. The appetizer includes the fried lasagna portions topped with meat sauce and Parmesan, plus a side of Alfredo sauce for dipping. Prices may vary slightly by location.
The dish contains 1,130 calories with 76 grams of fat and 1,800 milligrams of sodium. Shared between two guests, each person receives approximately 565 calories from this appetizer before adding entrée portions.
Lasagna Fritta is pre-made lasagna that is cut into portions, coated in Parmesan-seasoned breadcrumbs, and deep fried until crispy on the outside with a soft, cheesy interior. It is served topped with meat sauce and Parmesan, with Alfredo alongside for dipping.
Prepare or purchase a small lasagna pan and refrigerate overnight until firm enough to cut cleanly. Slice into 2x3 inch rectangles. Coat each piece in flour, egg, then Parmesan-seasoned Italian breadcrumbs. Freeze for 20 minutes. Fry in 375F oil for 2 to 3 minutes per side until deeply golden. Top with warm meat sauce and serve with Alfredo for dipping.
Lasagna Fritta is a dine-in appetizer and is not currently listed as a catering item. For large group events, the Lasagna Classico catering pan is the closest equivalent option. Check with your local Olive Garden location for any special event ordering options.