Description
This Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno Copycat recipe recreates the creamy, cheesy, and comforting baked pasta dish renowned in Italian-American cuisine. Featuring ziti pasta enveloped in a rich five-cheese marinara sauce, topped with a golden breadcrumb crust, it’s a luscious casserole perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb Ziti pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for tossing pasta)
Five Cheese Marinara Sauce
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 15 oz drained diced tomatoes (or two fresh tomatoes, diced)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese blend (grated Parmesan, Romano, Asiago), divided
- 1/2 cup fontina cheese (can use grated Monterey Jack), divided
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese (grated), divided
Topping
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot, cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta into a colander and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Toss the pasta with a tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking, then set aside.
- Prepare Cheese Marinara Sauce: While pasta cooks, combine 2 cups of marinara sauce, 1 cup heavy cream, drained diced tomatoes, and 1 teaspoon sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Add half of the Parmesan cheese blend (about 1/2 cup), half of the fontina cheese (1/4 cup), and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is bubbly. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Dish: Transfer the cooked pasta into an oven-safe serving dish. Ladle the hot five-cheese marinara sauce evenly over the pasta. Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese blend over the top, then sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly to create a crust.
- Broil to Finish: Place the assembled dish under a broiler just until the cheese on top is brown and bubbly, about 2-5 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
- Alternate Casserole Method (Optional): Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Place pasta in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish, pour sauce evenly over pasta, and top with 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese blend. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the surface, cover with foil, and bake for 30-45 minutes. Remove foil and broil for a few minutes until golden and crispy on top.
Notes
- Ziti Al Forno can be assembled ahead and refrigerated or frozen for later use.
- Cheese substitutes like Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, or Parmesan cheeses can be used according to availability or preference.
- When broiling, keep a close eye on the dish to prevent the breadcrumbs and cheese from burning.
- For a richer dish, use full-fat heavy cream and high-quality cheeses.
- Using fresh tomatoes instead of canned diced tomatoes offers a fresher flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately)
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
