Spaghetti with Marinara at Olive Garden is the lightest pasta on the Classic Entrées lunch menu, priced at $13.99 and delivering just 490 calories with 12 grams of fat and 1,290 milligrams of sodium. The dish consists of spaghetti topped with the restaurant's homemade marinara made fresh each day with garlic and herbs. At this calorie level, it is one of the few under-500-calorie full-plate options at Olive Garden, making it the go-to for guests managing calorie intake without sacrificing the Italian-American pasta experience.
The simplicity of this dish is its strength. With only spaghetti and marinara on the plate, the quality of the sauce determines everything. The marinara at Olive Garden is made daily from tomatoes, garlic, and Italian herbs — not from a canned or pre-made base — which gives it a brightness and freshness that mass-produced restaurant tomato sauces do not achieve. While the plate is vegetarian-friendly and technically vegan (no dairy in the marinara or pasta), it pairs naturally with any of the add-on proteins the restaurant offers for guests wanting more substance.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving
490Calories
12gTotal Fat
1290mgSodium
* Nutritional values are approximate and may vary. Last updated March 2026.
The individual dinner/lunch plate of Spaghetti with Marinara is priced at $13.99. The catering pan version (which feeds 4 to 6 guests) is priced separately at $46.99 and uses a slightly different description as Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce.
The individual portion contains 490 calories with 12 grams of fat and 1,290 milligrams of sodium — making it one of the lowest-calorie full plates at the restaurant. It is a genuinely light option for guests keeping track of their intake.
The spaghetti with marinara is vegetarian and most likely vegan, as the marinara contains no dairy and standard spaghetti pasta contains no eggs. However, guests with strict vegan requirements should confirm ingredient details with their specific location, as shared preparation surfaces are possible.
Olive Garden's marinara is made fresh daily at each location using real garlic, tomatoes, and Italian herbs. Bottled sauces contain preservatives, additional salt, and often added sugar at levels the restaurant does not use. The fresh preparation produces a brighter, more vibrant tomato flavor that is noticeably different from most commercial brands.
Yes, meatballs, Italian sausage, or grilled chicken can be added to the Spaghetti with Marinara as paid add-ons. Adding meatballs is the most common modification and converts this light pasta into a more substantial meal.
