Olive Garden’s giant stuffed shells are a popular menu item that many customers love to order. But how much do these jumbo pasta shells filled with cheese and sauce actually cost? Let’s take a closer look at the pricing for this Italian chain’s stuffed shells entree.
Introducing Olive Garden’s Giant Stuffed Shells
Olive Garden first introduced their fan favorite giant stuffed shells in 1995. These large pasta shells are filled with a creamy ricotta, parmesan, and romano cheese blend and then baked with Olive Garden’s homemade marinara sauce. The result is a rich, comforting, cheesy dish.
Here are some key facts about Olive Garden’s giant stuffed shells:
- Each giant shell is around 3 inches long when stuffed.
- The shells are filled with a mix of ricotta, parmesan, and romano cheeses.
- They are covered with Olive Garden’s classic marinara sauce.
- The stuffed shells are sprinkled with more parmesan and roasted garlic.
- They are baked until hot and bubbly.
- It’s a popular choice for many Olive Garden regulars.
The indulgent stuffed shells have been an Olive Garden menu staple for over 25 years. Their gooey filling and tender pasta make them a stand-out Italian comfort food.
Giant Stuffed Shells Nutrition & Ingredients
Olive Garden’s giant stuffed shells pack quite a caloric punch. Here is the nutrition information for an order of 5 giant stuffed shells:
- Calories: 800
- Total Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
- Sodium: 1280mg
- Carbs: 71g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 11g
- Protein: 38g
As you can see, these shells are definitely a splurge with nearly a day’s worth of calories and high amounts of fat and sodium. But the rich cheese filling and tender pasta make it easy to indulge.
Here is the list of ingredients that go into making Olive Garden’s stuffed shells:
- Pasta shells
- Low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese
- Water
- Ricotta cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Romano cheese
- Whey
- Modified food starch
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Olive oil
- Parsley
- Black pepper
- Tomato paste
- Dried mushrooms
As you can see, it’s a fairly simple list of ingredients but combined in the perfect proportions to create an crave-worthy baked pasta dish.
Giant Stuffed Shells Price
Now let’s get to the key question – how much does an order of Olive Garden’s giant stuffed shells cost in 2023? Here is a look at the latest stuffed shells prices:
| Order Size | Price |
|---|---|
| Individual Order (5 shells) | $12.99 |
| Lunch Duos Order (3 shells plus soup or salad) | $14.99 |
The standard individual order of 5 giant stuffed shells is priced at $12.99 on the Olive Garden lunch and dinner menus. This puts each giant shell at around $2.60 a piece.
You can also get 3 giant shells as part of the Olive Garden Lunch Duos menu for $14.99. This comes with either a house salad or a bowl of unlimited soup, making it a more affordable way to enjoy this dish.
Olive Garden occasionally offers promotions where you can get 2 giant stuffed shells plus an entree for $14.99. Keep an eye out for specials like this to get the shells for even cheaper.
How the Price Compares to Other Menu Items
At $12.99 for 5 shells, the giant stuffed shells pricing is moderately high compared to other entrees at Olive Garden. Here’s how it stacks up against some other popular menu items:
| Menu Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Giant Stuffed Shells (5 shells) | $12.99 |
| Fettuccine Alfredo (lunch portion) | $12.99 |
| Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (regular portion) | $13.99 |
| Chicken Parmigiana (lunch portion) | $14.99 |
| Linguine with Clams (lunch portion) | $16.99 |
You can see the stuffed shells are priced similarly to some other pasta dishes like fettuccine alfredo and spaghetti with meat sauce when comparing lunch portions. More premium dishes like chicken parm and linguine with clams are $2-3 higher in cost.
So while the stuffed shells are not the most budget-friendly option, their cost seems appropriate when looking at comparable Olive Garden menu items.
Shells Price Compared to Other Italian Chains
Olive Garden also seems to have standard pricing compared to similar dishes at other popular Italian chain restaurants:
| Restaurant | Stuffed Shells Price |
|---|---|
| Olive Garden | $12.99 (5 shells) |
| Carrabba’s | $13.00 (3 shells) |
| Maggiano’s | $11.00 (3 shells) |
Maggiano’s offers their stuffed shells for around $1 less than Olive Garden’s price per shell. Carrabba’s shells are $1 more per shell in comparison. So again, Olive Garden’s pricing seems to align with competitors.
Is the Price Worth It?
Given the look at Olive Garden’s stuffed shells pricing compared to the rest of the menu and other Italian chains, is the $12.99 price tag worth it?
Here are some pros and cons to consider when determining if the shells are worth the cost:
Pros
- Large portion size with 5 jumbo shells
- Quality ingredients like ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses
- Indulgent, creamy, cheese-filled shells
- Cooked to order, served hot and fresh
- Can be added onto lunch duos for just $2 more
Cons
- High in calories, fat, carbs, and sodium
- On the pricier side for a single menu item
- Other entrees may offer more variety of flavors
Overall, the shells seem to be priced fairly compared to other menu options and other chain restaurants. The quality ingredients and generous portion make the $12.99 price tag worthwhile if you’re craving the indulgent cheese filling and crisp pasta. Just be aware that they are higher in calories and unhealthy components.
Price Versus Homemade Stuffed Shells
Making stuffed shells at home can be an enjoyable, cost-effective cooking project. Homemade shells allow you to control the ingredients and portion sizes. Let’s compare Olive Garden’s shells to a homemade version.
Homemade Stuffed Shells Cost Breakdown
Here is an estimate of what a batch of 15 homemade stuffed shells might cost:
| Ingredient | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Jumbo Pasta Shells (1 box) | $2.00 |
| Ricotta Cheese (15 oz tub) | $4.00 |
| Mozzarella Cheese (8 oz bag) | $3.00 |
| Parmesan Cheese (8 oz tub) | $4.00 |
| Marinara sauce (24 oz jar) | $3.00 |
| Seasonings & Garlic | $1.00 |
That brings the estimated total cost to around $17 for a batch of 15 shells, so about $1.13 per stuffed shell.
Pros of Homemade
- Much cheaper per shell at $1.13 vs $2.60
- Control ingredients and add less salt/fat
- Make shells any size you want
- Personalize fillings and sauce flavors
- Prepare just what you need for portions
Cons of Homemade
- More time consuming prep and baking time
- Multiple ingredients and kitchen tools needed
- May not achieve the same restaurant quality result
While homemade shells take more effort, you can certainly save money and control nutrition by making them yourself. Olive Garden’s price reflects their skilled preparation and quality ingredients.
Tips for Saving Money on Giant Stuffed Shells
If you want to enjoy Olive Garden’s stuffed shells without overspending, here are some tips to save:
Take Home Leftovers
An order of 5 shells is quite large. Ask your server for a to-go box and take any uneaten shells home. Enjoy them the next day to get 2 meals for the price of 1.
Watch for Sales and Coupons
Check Olive Garden’s website and sign up for their email list to receive alerts on promotions and coupons. Offers like “$5 Take Home Entrees” can help you get stuffed shells at a discount.
Order Lunch Portions
The lunch portion of 3 stuffed shells is a bit smaller and may leave you satisfied enough. Split an order with a friend to sample the shells at a lower price.
Join the Rewards Program
Sign up for Olive Garden’s rewards program to earn points with purchases. Over time you can redeem points toward free food and discounts.
Share an Appetizer
Order an appetizer like breadsticks or salad to share before your stuffed shells. This can help fill you up on less expensive items.
Conclusion
Olive Garden’s giant stuffed shells offer a quality Italian comfort food option. The generous portion of 5 large ricotta-filled shells delivers indulgent flavors. At a price of $12.99, the shells are reasonably priced given the ingredients and preparation required.
Compared to other menu options at Olive Garden and similar dishes at competitors, the shells seem to be fairly priced and in line with their value. There are always opportunities to save on the shells through methods like leftovers, lunch portions, and promotions. But overall the shells deliver a satisfying meal and are worth splurging on if the price fits your budget.