Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno

This Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno is the ultimate comfort food, featuring a rich and creamy cheese sauce, tender ziti pasta, and a crispy, golden breadcrumb topping. It’s an irresistible copycat recipe that brings the restaurant’s signature dish right into your home. Perfect for family dinners or entertaining, this dish will have everyone asking for seconds!

My husband and I love Olive Garden, and every visit ends with one thing: sharing their famous Five Cheese Ziti al Forno. One day, I decided to surprise him by recreating this dish at home. The result? A cheesy, bubbly masterpiece that filled our kitchen with the most mouthwatering aroma. Now, it’s become a family staple, bringing the taste of our favorite restaurant right to our dinner table.

Why You’ll Love Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno

•Cheesy Perfection: Loaded with five different cheeses for ultimate flavor.

•Easy to Make: A simple recipe that delivers restaurant-quality results.

•Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for gatherings or cozy family dinners.

•Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare it in advance and bake when ready.

Ingredients Notes For Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno

•Ziti Pasta: The base of this dish; penne can also work as a substitute.

•Five Cheese Blend: A mix of ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, and fontina cheeses.

•Marinara and Alfredo Sauce: Combine for the creamy, tangy sauce.

•Breadcrumb Topping: Adds the perfect crispy finish with melted butter and Parmesan.

•Italian Seasoning: Enhances the flavor of the sauce and topping.

Recipe Steps

1.Cook the Pasta:

•Boil 1 pound of ziti pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2.Prepare the Cheese Sauce:

•In a large bowl, mix 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1/2 cup shredded Romano, and 1/2 cup shredded fontina cheese.

•Add 2 cups marinara sauce and 1 cup Alfredo sauce to the cheese mixture. Stir until combined.

3.Assemble the Ziti:

•Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

•In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce mixture. Stir to coat the pasta evenly.

4.Add the Topping:

•In a small bowl, mix 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Sprinkle evenly over the pasta.

5.Bake:

•Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Storage Options

•Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

•Freezer: Freeze the unbaked casserole for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.

Variations & Substitutions

•Protein Additions: Add cooked chicken, sausage, or shrimp for extra protein.

•Vegetarian: Toss in sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or roasted vegetables.

•Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.

Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno

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Course: Main Course

Kitchen: Italian-American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

 

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• ▢ For the Pasta:
• ▢ 1 lb ziti pasta
• ▢ 1 jar 24 oz marinara sauce
• ▢ 1 cup Alfredo sauce
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
• ▢ For the Cheese Mixture:
• ▢ 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• ▢ 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ▢ 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ▢ 1/2 cup shredded Romano cheese
• ▢ 1/4 cup grated Asiago cheese
• ▢ For the Topping:
• ▢ 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ▢ 1/2 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
• ▢ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

Instructions

• Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Cook Pasta: Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Prepare the Sauce: In a large bowl, mix the marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using).
• Combine Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, and Asiago cheeses until well blended.
• Assemble the Dish: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce mixture and toss until coated. Layer half of the pasta mixture in the prepared baking dish. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the pasta, then top with the remaining pasta mixture.
• Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the melted butter. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the pasta, followed by the breadcrumb mixture.
• Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
• Serve: Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.