Meal prepping is hard. Fast food is easy, but it’s expensive and not always healthy. And sit-down restaurants? They take time that we don’t always have and aren’t always in our budget. If you’ve ever found yourself caught in this dilemma, you’re not alone. But thanks to content creators HellthyJunkFood and Julia Goolia, there’s a brilliant hack that might just solve all your lunchtime (and dinnertime) woes—and all you have to do is drive to your nearest Olive Garden.
Related: How to Make an Olive Garden Salad at Home
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The Genius of the Olive Garden Gallon Soup Hack
For just $29.99, you can order a full gallon of soup from Olive Garden. That might not sound like a big deal at first, but when you break it down, it’s a lot of food for a very reasonable price. Depending on which soup you choose—whether it’s the beloved Zuppa Toscana, the comforting Chicken & Gnocchi, the classic Pasta e Fagioli or the hearty Minestrone—you’re getting about eight generous servings of restaurant-quality soup without paying restaurant prices.
In the Hellthy JunkFood video, the creator is shown getting 20 free (!) breadsticks with the bucket of soup, but when you dig into the comments, it sounds like she got an unusual deal. Folks who tried the hack were indeed able to pick up a gallon of soup for $29.99, but they had to pay extra for the breadsticks.
Related: The Cool Kitchen Gadget You Can Buy at Olive Garden
Why This Hack is Perfect for Meal Preppers
If you’re someone who wants to meal prep but struggles to find the time, this is the ultimate shortcut. A gallon of soup can easily be divided into multiple portions, giving you nearly a week’s worth of ready-to-eat meals with almost zero effort. Simply portion it out into individual containers and refrigerate or freeze for later. Boom—lunch or dinner is handled!
Because Olive Garden’s soups are made with fresh ingredients and have a balance of protein, vegetables and carbs, they’re generally a much healthier option than grabbing a burger and fries. Zuppa Toscana, for example, is packed with potatoes, kale, and Italian sausage, while Chicken & Gnocchi is a creamy, protein-rich choice with bites of pillowy gnocchi.
Related: Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Creams The Original
A Cost-Effective Way to Eat Well
If you break down that $29.99 gallon of soup into eight servings, you’re looking at roughly $3.75 per serving. That’s way cheaper than almost any fast-food combo and significantly healthier. Plus, you’re not stuck eating the same thing every single day. You could easily mix things up by switching between soups, pairing them with different sides or adding extra protein for variety.
Compare that to meal prepping from scratch and it’s easy to see how this hack saves money, time and effort. And for those who struggle with meal prep burnout, having a restaurant-quality option without the hassle of cooking is a game-changer.
Related: The 28 Best Copycat Olive Garden Recipes
This Hack is a Winner
Ordering a gallon of Olive Garden soup isn’t just a fun trick; it’s a genuinely smart way to meal prep, save money and still enjoy delicious food. It’s perfect for busy professionals, parents who need quick lunches or anyone who wants to make life just a little bit easier.
So the next time you’re wondering what to eat for lunch all week, skip the drive-thru and give this a try.
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