Olive Garden Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini
Grilled steak and sautéed shrimp over bucatini in a spicy Calabrian chili sauce – about $23.79-$24.99 and 1,220 calories. Bold and premium.
What Is Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini?
Price, calories, nutrition & taste
The Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini at Olive Garden
Some Olive Garden dishes play it safe. Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini does the opposite.
This entrée combines grilled sirloin tips, shrimp, bucatini pasta, spinach, and tomatoes tossed in a spicy Calabrian cream sauce. The result feels like Olive Garden trying something bolder than its usual comfort-food pasta lineup. Instead of a rich Alfredo-forward experience, you get heat, creaminess, seafood, beef, and pasta all fighting for attention in the same bowl.
Originally introduced as a limited-time item, the dish developed a surprisingly loyal following. Many guests loved the spicy sauce, while others found it much hotter than expected. Over time it returned to menus in many locations and has become one of the more talked-about entrées among Olive Garden fans.
Quick Facts
At a glance
Price
Approx. $23.79-$24.99
Calories
1,220
Serving Size
1 Entrée
Available Since
2025
Menu Category
Classic Entrée
Vegan Friendly
No
Gluten-Free
No
Available All Day
Generally Yes
Permanent or Limited
Varies by market
Ingredients
What’s inside
Made Fresh
At its core, this is a surf-and-turf pasta dish. Olive Garden starts with bucatini, a thick hollow pasta that traps sauce inside the noodle itself. That matters because the Calabrian cream sauce is the star here. Every bite carries a noticeable kick from Calabrian chili peppers, balanced by cream, garlic, and savoury seasonings. The proteins pull in different directions.
The steak brings grilled, savoury flavour while the shrimp adds sweetness. Spinach and tomatoes help cut through some of the richness, preventing the dish from becoming overwhelmingly heavy.
Bucatini Pasta (thick hollow pasta that captures the sauce)
Sirloin Steak Tips (adds grilled beef flavor and protein)
Shrimp (provides sweetness and seafood flavor)
Calabrian Cream Sauce (creates the spicy signature character)
Calabrian Chili Peppers (responsible for the heat)
Fresh Spinach (adds color and balance)
Diced Tomatoes (adds freshness and acidity)
Garlic (deepens the sauce flavor)
Price
What you’ll pay
Among Olive Garden’s pasta entrées, this sits in the premium tier because you’re getting two proteins instead of one. Most locations price it between $23.79 and $24.99 in 2026.
Prices vary by location and may have changed since this was written.
| Option | Approximate Price |
|---|---|
| Regular / Standalone | $23.79 – $24.99 |
| As Part of a Combo | Not typically offered |
| In a Box or Value Meal | Not available |
For the money, the value is solid. Steak and shrimp together usually cost more than a standard pasta entrée, and the portion size is large enough that some people end up taking half home.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving
| Nutrient | Amount (1 Serving) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1,220 |
| Total Fat | 65g |
| Saturated Fat | 31g |
| Trans Fat | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 360mg |
| Sodium | 2,960mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 82g |
| Dietary Fiber | 6g |
| Total Sugars | 11g |
| Protein | 78g |
This is not a light meal. With 1,220 calories, Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini ranks among the more indulgent entrées on Olive Garden’s menu . The combination of steak, shrimp, cream sauce, and pasta creates a meal that is designed to satisfy a big appetite rather than fit into a low-calorie eating plan.
What Does It Taste Like?
Flavor profile
Flavor Notes
The first thing that hits the table is the aroma. You smell garlic, cream, grilled steak, and a peppery heat before you even pick up a fork. Visually, it looks substantial. Thick bucatini noodles are coated in a glossy orange-red sauce, with steak tips and shrimp scattered throughout. It feels like a dish that wants your full attention.
The sauce is the reason most people order it. The Calabrian peppers bring a slow-building heat rather than an immediate burn. At first, you notice creaminess and garlic. A few seconds later, the spice starts to arrive and lingers at the back of your mouth. The steak adds savoury depth while the shrimp contributes a touch of sweetness that keeps the dish from becoming one-note.
Texture matters here. Bucatini is thicker and chewier than standard spaghetti, which helps it stand up to the rich sauce. The shrimp are usually tender, and the steak tips have a slight char that adds contrast. Compared with Olive Garden’s Chicken & Shrimp Carbonara, this feels spicier and more assertive. Compared with a spicy vodka pasta from chains like Carrabba’s, the Calabrian heat is more noticeable and less tomato-forward.
For me, it delivers on its promise. If you order it expecting a bold pasta dish, that’s exactly what you get.
Dietary Information
Know before you order
Contains steak, shrimp, dairy, and pasta ingredients
Vegans and vegetarians should skip this one. The dish contains both beef and shrimp, and the sauce includes dairy ingredients. Olive Garden does not certify it as vegan or vegetarian, and kitchen cross-contact with other ingredients is always possible during preparation. Anyone avoiding gluten should look elsewhere. Bucatini is a wheat-based pasta, and this entrée is not prepared as a gluten-free meal.
Guests with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity should review Olive Garden’s allergen guide and discuss options with restaurant staff before ordering.
Vegan
No – Contains steak, shrimp, dairy, and pasta ingredients
Vegetarian
No – Contains beef and shrimp
Gluten-Free
No – Bucatini pasta contains wheat
Dairy-Free
No – Cream-based sauce contains dairy
Nut-Free
Generally Yes – Check local allergen information
Halal
No – Not certified halal
Kosher
No – Not kosher certified
Low Carb / Keto
No – High carbohydrate content
Low Sodium
No – Sodium content is very high
Customization
Make it yours
There is more flexibility here than many guests realize. While the signature sauce defines the dish, several modifications are commonly available depending on location.
The Olive Garden app is usually the easiest place to review available modifications and special requests before ordering.
Ask for extra shrimp
Request extra steak tips
Add Parmesan cheese
Request lighter sauce if available
Remove tomatoes
Remove spinach
Availability
2026 status
Yes, Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini is available at many Olive Garden locations in 2026. Availability can vary by market because Olive Garden occasionally rotates certain specialty entrées based on demand and regional menu testing. If you’re specifically visiting for this dish, check your local restaurant’s online menu before making the trip. In locations where it is unavailable, Chicken & Shrimp Carbonara or Shrimp Scampi are the closest alternatives, depending on whether you prefer a richer or lighter pasta experience.
Across the United States, the dish is fairly consistent. Portion sizes, ingredients, and preparation standards tend to stay close to company guidelines, though pricing can vary by several dollars depending on the local market. Large metropolitan areas typically charge slightly more than smaller suburban locations. Suburban restaurants often provide a more predictable experience during peak dinner hours because kitchen volume is easier to manage. In busy urban locations, longer wait times can occur during lunch and dinner rushes, especially on weekends.
The dish is usually popular enough that running out is uncommon, but specialty menu items can occasionally be unavailable. For the freshest experience, dine-in service is the safest choice because the pasta reaches the table immediately after preparation. Delivery through DoorDash or Uber Eats generally travels well, although the sauce can thicken during transit. Ordering through the Olive Garden app allows you to check availability, customize ingredients, and schedule pickup. Mid-afternoon and early evening often provide the best combination of freshness and shorter wait times.
Best Premium Pasta Alternatives
Worth comparing
This entrée is best for someone who wants a little heat and plenty of protein in a single dish. Shrimp Scampi works better for diners who prefer lighter meals, while Chicken & Shrimp Carbonara appeals to people who enjoy creamy comfort food without much spice. Tour of Italy remains the choice for guests who want variety more than a focused flavor profile.
Shrimp Scampi
Garlic-butter shrimp over angel hair pasta. Shrimp Scampi at $19.99-$22.99 is the lighter, classic seafood pasta – no steak, no heat, just buttery garlic shrimp. Pick it when you want seafood pasta without the Calabrian spice kick or the premium steak price tag.
Tour Of Italy
Three classics on one plate: lasagna, fettuccine alfredo, and chicken parmigiana. Tour of Italy gives you variety and indulgence at a similar premium price point. Choose it when you can’t decide and want a sampler of Olive Garden’s greatest hits instead of one bold dish.
Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno
Oven-baked ziti with five cheeses in marinara and alfredo. Five Cheese Ziti al Forno at $19.99-$24.99 and 1,220 calories matches the bucatini on richness but goes creamy-cheesy instead of spicy. A comfort-first alternative when heat isn’t what you’re craving.
Is It Worth Ordering?
Our take
Order it if you:
Enjoy spicy pasta dishes with noticeable heat
Want both steak and shrimp in the same entrée
Prefer rich, creamy sauces over lighter options
Have a big appetite or plan to take leftovers home
Skip it if you:
Avoid spicy foods
Need a gluten-free meal
Are closely monitoring sodium intake
Prefer lighter seafood or vegetable-based pasta dishes
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers
How many calories are in Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini?
About 1,220 calories are found in one serving. That makes it one of the more indulgent pasta entrées on Olive Garden’s menu. The steak, shrimp, cream sauce, and pasta all contribute to the total.
What is Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini made of?
It includes bucatini pasta, grilled steak tips, shrimp, spinach, tomatoes, and a spicy Calabrian cream sauce. Garlic, dairy ingredients, and seasonings help create its signature flavor.
Is it vegan?
No, it is not vegan. The dish contains beef, shrimp, dairy products, and pasta ingredients that do not meet vegan requirements.
Is it gluten-free?
No, it is not gluten-free. The bucatini pasta contains wheat, and the entrée is not prepared as a gluten-free menu item.
How much does it cost?
About $23.79 to $24.99 is the typical price range in 2026. The exact amount depends on your location and local menu pricing.
Is it still available in 2026?
Yes, many Olive Garden locations continue to offer it in 2026. Checking your local restaurant’s menu online is the best way to confirm availability.
Can I customize my order?
Yes, several modifications are often available. Guests commonly add extra shrimp, extra steak, additional sauce, or remove vegetables based on personal preference.
Craving Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini?
Olive Garden’s boldest surf-and-turf pasta – spicy, premium, and memorable. Worth it when you want something beyond the usual.
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