Olive Garden
Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini
Tender grilled steak and succulent shrimp tossed
with bucatini pasta in a spicy, savory Calabrian chili sauce.
What Is Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini?
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 About Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini
Detail | Info |
|---|---|
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 |
What Is Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini Made Of?
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.
Main Ingredients
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.
Calories and What They Mean
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.
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 |
What This Means For You
Compared with Shrimp Scampi, this dish is dramatically heavier and richer. Compared with Chicken & Shrimp Carbonara, it offers similar indulgence but replaces some of the smoky bacon notes with noticeable spice.
How Much Does Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini Cost?
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.
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 |
Prices vary by location and may have changed since this was written.
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.
What Does Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini Taste Like?
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
Dietary Need | Suitable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
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 |
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.
Can You Customize Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini?
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.
Is Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini Still Available in 2026?
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.
Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini vs. Similar Items
Product | Price (Approx.) | Calories | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini | $23.79 – $24.99 | 1,220 | Spicy surf-and-turf pasta with Calabrian cream sauce |
Chicken & Shrimp Carbonara | $22.99 – $24.99 | About 1,390 | Richer, smokier flavor with bacon |
Shrimp Scampi | $19.99 – $22.99 | About 510 | Much lighter and more garlic-forward |
Tour of Italy | $22.99 – $25.99 | About 1,550 | Multiple classic Italian dishes on one plate |
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.
Ordering Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini Across the US
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini Worth Ordering?
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
If you asked me which newer Olive Garden entrées stands out from the usual lineup, this would be near the top of the list. It feels more adventurous than many menu staples without becoming gimmicky. The Calabrian peppers give it a personality that most chain-restaurant pasta dishes lack. If you’re tired of ordering Alfredo every visit, this is the dish that deserves a chance.
