Dip Olive Garden Breadsticks Into This Hearty Sauce For A Brazilian-Style Bite

Whether you're dining at Olive Garden in the United States or at one of its international locations, there's a lot to like about the menu. We're big fans of what's offered in Brazil, especially the starters, where you can order unlimited dipping sauces, including meat sauce, to dip those famous breadsticks into. This hearty option combines pan-seared ground beef and Italian sausage in a tomato-based sauce. You'll usually find it in dishes like spaghetti with meat sauce, but it's also a delicious option for dipping those soft, garlicky breadsticks, which ranked third out of nine in our ranking of chain restaurants breadsticks.

So, how can you order this Brazilian-style bite in the States? You can order a side of meat sauce in person, online, or through the app. However, the online menu only lists a large side of meat sauce under the "Sides, Sauces, & Extras" section for $11.99, and it doesn't include breadsticks. If you're ordering in person, you may be able to get a small side of the meat sauce for around $6.29, which comes with four breadsticks. So, if you're looking to switch things up from the usual marinara, this is a more savory and meaty alternative.

Olive Garden's soft, pillowy breadsticks and rich meat sauce are already a winning combination, but there are many ways to take things further. Adding a generous amount of freshly grated parmesan cheese right on top of the meat sauce is a natural pairing. You can also ask for a small plate with a heaping side of grated parmesan and try the double-dip method, an Olive Garden breadstick hack that makes every bite extra cheesy. First, dip your breadstick into the meat sauce, then roll it around in the cheese so it sticks to the sauce. 

Another clever Olive Garden breadstick hack is to hollow out the breadstick  by biting or cutting it off one end, then using a knife or handle of fork to make room inside. Then, spoon in some meat sauce and parmesan inside. You can also turn up the heat by asking for some crushed red pepper flakes and mix it right into your meat sauce, giving it a spicy Bolognese twist. And if you're a little hungrier, you can add a side of meatballs for about $5 and mash them into the sauce for an extra-meaty dip. Or cut open a breadstick and make your own miniature meatball sub. As you can see, there are quite a few ways to play around with this Brazilian-style combo.