Olive Garden Shrimp Carbonara
Creamy carbonara with tender shrimp, crispy bacon, and roasted red peppers. Price, calories, and full details.
Explore the GuideShrimp Carbonara Overview
Rich, creamy, and indulgent
Shrimp Carbonara Overview
Some Olive Garden pasta dishes play it safe. Shrimp Carbonara is not one of them. This rich entrée combines tender shrimp, pasta, crispy bacon, roasted red peppers, and a creamy carbonara-style sauce into a dish that feels closer to comfort food than traditional Italian cooking. It is one of those meals that announces itself the moment it arrives at the table.
The flavor profile leans heavily into cream, Parmesan, garlic, and smoky bacon. The shrimp keeps things from becoming too rich by adding a slightly sweet seafood note. Every bite feels substantial, which explains why many guests order it when they want something more indulgent than a standard marinara-based pasta.
Quick Facts
At a glance
Price
Typically $20.99 to $25.99 depending on location
Calories
About 1,170 calories per serving
Protein
Sautéed shrimp plus crispy bacon
Sauce
Creamy Parmesan-garlic carbonara sauce
Availability
Check local menu for 2026 availability
Ingredients
What goes into it
A good carbonara-style pasta lives or dies by balance. Too much cream and it becomes heavy. Too little and it loses the richness people expect. Olive Garden’s Shrimp Carbonara lands firmly on the rich side, using a creamy sauce that coats every strand of pasta.The supporting ingredients do a lot of work. Bacon brings smoky depth, roasted red peppers add a touch of sweetness, and Parmesan contributes the salty finish that lingers after each bite.
The shrimp is the star, but the dish would feel much flatter without everything else working around it. Ingredients and formulations may vary by location. Always check Olive Garden’s official allergen guide for the most current information before ordering if you have dietary restrictions.
Price
What you will pay
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Shrimp Carbonara | $20.99 – $25.99 |
| Lunch portion | $18.99 – $20.99 |
Expect to pay somewhere between $20.99 and $24.99 for Shrimp Carbonara in 2026. Prices vary depending on region, local operating costs, and individual restaurant pricing.
For seafood pasta at a casual dining restaurant, the value is reasonable. The portion size is generous, and the shrimp count is usually enough to justify the premium over simpler pasta dishes.
Taste & Nutrition
Flavor and what is inside
Flavor Profile
The first thing you notice is the smell. Garlic, bacon, and Parmesan rise from the bowl before you take a bite. Visually, it looks rich and creamy, with shrimp and roasted peppers scattered throughout the pasta instead of piled on top as an afterthought.
At roughly 1,170 calories per serving, Shrimp Carbonara is not pretending to be a light lunch. Most of those calories come from the creamy sauce, bacon, cheese, and pasta. The upside is that it is filling enough for many guests to split or save part for later.
Dietary Information
Allergens and diet notes
Contains seafood, dairy, and animal-derived ingredients No, Shrimp Carbonara is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. Beyond the shrimp itself, the dish contains bacon, cheese, and a cream-based sauce. Olive Garden does not officially certify this entrée as vegan or vegetarian, and cross-contact with animal products can occur during preparation.No, this entrée is not gluten-free. The standard pasta contains wheat, and guests with celiac disease should be aware that shared preparation areas increase the possibility of cross-contact. If gluten sensitivity is a concern, ask your local restaurant about available gluten-sensitive menu options before ordering.
Customization Tips
Make it your own
Tip 1
One of the better things about Shrimp Carbonara is that it can be adjusted to fit different tastes.
Tip 2
Some people want even more seafood, while others try to tone down the richness.
Tip 3
Most Olive Garden locations allow a reasonable amount of customization, though options can vary..
Availability
Can you order it in 2026?
Yes, Shrimp Carbonara is still available at many Olive Garden locations in 2026. It remains one of the restaurant’s better-known specialty pasta dishes and continues to attract diners looking for a richer alternative to marinara-based meals.Menu availability can vary by market, and Olive Garden occasionally updates its offerings. If you do not see it on your local menu, check the Olive Garden website or mobile app. Shrimp Alfredo is usually the closest substitute, offering a similar creamy seafood experience. Yes, Shrimp Carbonara is still available at many Olive Garden locations in 2026.
It remains one of the restaurant’s better-known specialty pasta dishes and continues to attract diners looking for a richer alternative to marinara-based meals.Menu availability can vary by market, and Olive Garden occasionally updates its offerings. If you do not see it on your local menu, check the Olive Garden website or mobile app. Shrimp Alfredo is usually the closest substitute, offering a similar creamy seafood experience.
Best Creamy Pasta Alternatives
More rich and creamy options
Shrimp Carbonara
The ultimate creamy seafood pasta. Tender sautéed shrimp, crispy smoky bacon, and sweet roasted red peppers tossed in a rich Parmesan-garlic cream sauce. Decadent without being one-note, the shrimp keeps it from feeling too heavy. A bold choice for carbonara lovers.
Chicken Scampi
A lighter creamy-garlic alternative. Grilled chicken in a white wine garlic-butter sauce over angel hair. Less heavy than carbonara, with bright herbal notes instead of deep cream. Choose scampi when you want garlic flavor without the calorie commitment.
Ravioli Carbonara
Carbonara flavors in ravioli form. Cheese-filled pasta pockets in the same style of creamy sauce. Combines two favorites into one dish for the ultimate comfort pairing. Rich, satisfying, and a fun twist on the traditional carbonara.
Ordering
How to get it
Order Across the US
Across the United States, Shrimp Carbonara is generally consistent from one Olive Garden location to another. Regional pricing differences are common, with restaurants in major cities often charging a few dollars more than suburban locations. The recipe itself tends to remain fairly standardized.Ordering conditions can affect your experience. Busy urban restaurants during peak dinner hours may have longer wait times, while suburban locations often provide faster service and a slightly more relaxed dining environment. Because shrimp is a featured ingredient, freshness matters, and restaurants with high turnover often serve the dish at its best.Dine-in service usually delivers the strongest experience because the sauce arrives at the proper consistency.
Delivery through DoorDash or Uber Eats is convenient, but creamy sauces can thicken during travel. The Olive Garden app is useful for pickup orders and customizations. Mid-afternoon and early dinner periods are often the best times to order for freshness and shorter waits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers
How many calories are in Shrimp Carbonara?
About 1,170 calories are found in a standard serving. The exact number may vary slightly depending on preparation and future recipe changes, but it remains one of the more indulgent pasta entrées on the menu.
What is Shrimp Carbonara made of?
It contains shrimp, pasta, bacon, roasted red peppers, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and a creamy carbonara-style sauce. These ingredients combine to create a rich and savory seafood pasta dish.
Is it vegan?
No, it is not vegan. The dish contains shrimp, bacon, dairy products, and other animal-derived ingredients.
Is it gluten-free?
No, it is not gluten-free. Traditional pasta contains wheat, and there is also a possibility of cross-contact during preparation.
How much does it cost?
About $20.99 to $24.99 is the typical price range in 2026. Local pricing, promotions, and regional costs can affect the final amount.
Is it still available in 2026?
Yes, it is still available at many Olive Garden locations in 2026. Checking your local restaurant’s online menu is the easiest way to confirm availability.
Can I customize it?
Yes, several modifications are usually available. Guests commonly add extra shrimp, request light sauce, remove bacon, or add vegetables depending on location availability.
Try Shrimp Carbonara Today
Creamy, rich, and loaded with shrimp and bacon. A bold pasta for those who love indulgence.
