Olive Garden's Never Ending Soup, Salad & Breadsticks Copycat Recipe

Never Ending Soup, Salad & Breadsticks from Olive Garden features warm, freshly baked breadsticks paired with a crisp garden salad topped with creamy Italian dressing, and your choice of savory soups like Zuppa Toscana or Minestrone, delivering a satisfying combination of comforting flavors and textures.

Equipments

• Soup pot
• Ladle
• Salad bowl
• Salad tongs
• Bread basket
• Baking sheet
• Oven
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Chef’s knife
• Cutting board
• Storage containers
• Serving plates/bowls
• Soup spoons

Ingredients

• Olive Garden-Style Never Ending Soup, Salad & Breadsticks
• For Soup (Zuppa Toscana):
• 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage
• 4 cups (950ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 large russet potatoes
• 2 cups kale leaves
• 1 small onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• For Soup (Minestrone):
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion
• 2 ribs celery
• 2 medium carrots
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 (14 oz/400g) can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 1 (15 oz/425g) can kidney beans
• 1 (15 oz/425g) can cannellini beans
• 1 zucchini
• 1 cup green beans
• 1 cup small pasta (ditalini or small shells)
• 2 cups spinach leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt
• Black pepper
• For Breadsticks:
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted, for brushing)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (for topping)
• For Salad:
• 1 head iceberg lettuce
• 1 head romaine lettuce
• 1/2 small red onion
• 1 cup grape tomatoes
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• 1 cup pepperoncini peppers
• 1 cup croutons
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 cucumber
• For Creamy Italian Dressing:
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

When preparing the Never Ending Soup, Salad & Breadsticks, use fresh Italian sausage for the Zuppa Toscana to ensure authentic flavor, and choose quality vegetable broth for the Minestrone to enhance the soup's depth. Russet potatoes and kale need thorough washing and proper dicing to cook evenly in the soup. For breadsticks, activate the yeast in warm water (about 110degF) to guarantee proper rising of the dough. Your garden salad should include crisp romaine and iceberg lettuce combined with fresh grape tomatoes and pepperoncini for the classic Olive Garden taste. This detailed ingredient list perfectly replicates Olive Garden's Never Ending Soup, Salad & Breadsticks experience in your own kitchen.

Instructions

• **Instructions:**
• Preheat oven for breadsticks.
• Activate yeast in warm water with sugar.
• Mix flour, salt, and softened butter; combine with yeast mixture.
• Knead dough; let rise until doubled.
• Shape breadsticks; place on baking sheet.
• Let breadsticks rise until puffy.
• Bake breadsticks until golden.
• Brush with melted butter mixed with garlic powder and salt.
• Prepare Zuppa Toscana: Brown sausage in soup pot.
• Add chopped onion and garlic; sauté until soft.
• Add chicken broth and sliced potatoes; simmer until potatoes are tender.
• Stir in kale and heavy cream; season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
• Prepare Minestrone: Heat olive oil in soup pot.
• Sauté onion, celery, carrots, and garlic until soft.
• Add diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and beans; simmer.
• Add sliced zucchini, green beans, and pasta; cook until pasta is tender.
• Stir in spinach and dried herbs; season with salt and pepper.
• Prepare salad: Chop iceberg and romaine lettuce; combine in salad bowl.
• Slice onion, tomatoes, olives, pepperoncini, cucumber.
• Toss salad with croutons and shredded Parmesan.
• Prepare dressing: Whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, Parmesan, sugar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Season dressing with salt and pepper.
• Toss salad with creamy Italian dressing or serve on the side.
• Portion soup into bowls using a ladle.
• Serve breadsticks in bread basket.
• Plate salad with tongs.
• Serve all items together; replenish soup, salad, breadsticks as needed.

Substitution

The Never Ending Soup, Salad & Breadsticks copycat menu from Olive Garden offers a comforting medley of warm soup, crisp salad, and soft breadsticks. If you don't have Italian sausage for the Zuppa Toscana, ground turkey or chicken sausage work well as leaner alternatives. In case fresh kale is unavailable, spinach or Swiss chard can be substituted to maintain a similar texture and flavor. When making the breadsticks, active dry yeast can be replaced with instant yeast by adjusting the proofing time accordingly. You can customize your creamy Italian dressing by swapping mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier option.

Tips

Ensure the yeast water is warm but not hot, ideally between 105degF and 115degF, to properly activate the breadstick dough without killing the yeast. When sauteing onions and garlic for both soups, cook until translucent but not browned to maintain a delicate flavor base. Your seasonal herbs, like dried basil and oregano, release their full aroma when added toward the end of the simmering process, enhancing the Minestrone's depth of flavor. Use a sharp chef's knife on a stable cutting board to safely and evenly chop vegetables for the salad, ensuring crisp texture and uniform bite.

Nutritions

The Never Ending Soup, Salad & Breadsticks meal from Olive Garden offers a balanced combination of macronutrients and fiber. The Zuppa Toscana features Italian sausage and cream, providing protein and healthy fats, while the Minestrone is rich in vegetables, legumes, and pasta, delivering fiber, vitamins, and complex carbohydrates. Fresh salad ingredients like lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and cucumbers contribute essential vitamins and antioxidants, complemented by a creamy Italian dressing with healthy fats from olive oil. Your meal includes freshly baked breadsticks made from enriched flour, adding carbohydrates for energy to complete this satisfying and nutrient-diverse experience.

Storage

Store leftover Zuppa Toscana or Minestrone soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, reheating gently on the stovetop or microwave to maintain flavor and texture. Keep your freshly baked breadsticks wrapped in foil or in a bread box at room temperature to preserve softness, or freeze wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months. Salad components should be stored separately in sealed containers, with dressing kept refrigerated to prevent sogginess and ensure freshness for your next meal.

Variation or Alternatives

For the soups, you can substitute Italian sausage in the Zuppa Toscana with spicy chorizo or turkey sausage for a different flavor profile. Swap kale for spinach or Swiss chard if you prefer a milder green or want to adjust texture. When making breadsticks, try incorporating garlic and rosemary directly into the dough before baking for an aromatic twist. Your salad can be varied by adding sliced avocado or substituting pepperoncini with banana peppers to adjust the level of tanginess and heat.

Allergies

Your Never Ending Soup, Salad & Breadsticks meal from Olive Garden may trigger allergies due to ingredients like Italian sausage containing pork and spices, dairy from heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, wheat in breadsticks and pasta, and legumes found in kidney and cannellini beans. The creamy Italian dressing contains mayonnaise, which includes eggs, a common allergen that should be noted. Individuals with sensitivities to garlic, onions, or gluten should also exercise caution when enjoying this dish.

Why this recipe?

Many appreciate the Never Ending Soup, Salad & Breadsticks menu at Olive Garden for its unlimited servings of fresh salad, warm breadsticks, and flavorful soups, creating a satisfying and customizable dining experience. This menu option offers excellent value, allowing you to enjoy a variety of items at a fixed price, perfect for sharing or indulging in multiple rounds. The consistent quality and iconic taste of Olive Garden's recipes inspire home cooks to replicate these dishes, bringing comfort and Italian-inspired flavors directly to your kitchen. Trying a copycat version lets you tailor ingredients to your preference while capturing the essence of a beloved restaurant meal.