Irresistible Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno Recipe

Creamy, bubbling cheese meets pasta perfection in this olive garden five cheese ziti al forno recipe that promises restaurant-quality comfort right at home.

Rich melted cheeses create a luxurious blanket over tender ziti noodles.

Every forkful delivers a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Authentic Italian-inspired ingredients combine to craft this decadent dish that feels like a warm culinary embrace.

The blend of ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, romano, and fontina transforms a simple pasta into an extraordinary meal.

You’ll love how easily this recipe comes together with minimal prep and maximum satisfaction.

FAQs

• What cheeses are used in this ziti recipe?

The recipe includes five different cheeses: mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, Romano, and ricotta, creating a rich and complex flavor profile.

• Is this dish considered vegetarian?

Yes, this ziti al forno recipe is vegetarian as it contains no meat, only pasta, cheese, sauce, and breadcrumbs.

• Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare the dish up to the point of baking, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

• How spicy is this ziti recipe?

The recipe is not spicy. It uses garlic powder and Italian seasoning for flavor, but does not include any hot peppers or spicy ingredients.

Why This Ziti Al Forno is a Must-Try

• Savor Cheesy Comfort: Dive into a decadent five-cheese pasta dish that wraps you in warm, gooey goodness with every bite.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: Whip up this restaurant-inspired recipe with basic ingredients and minimal prep, making dinner a breeze for busy families.
• Crowd-Pleasing Perfection: Watch everyone's eyes light up with this rich, flavorful ziti that combines multiple cheeses and a crispy breadcrumb topping for maximum deliciousness.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by adding protein like chicken or ground beef, or swap cheeses to match your taste preferences and pantry supplies.

What’s Inside Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno

• Ziti Pasta: A classic tube-shaped pasta perfect for holding rich, creamy sauces.
• Marinara Sauce: A traditional Italian tomato-based sauce that adds bright, tangy flavor.
• Alfredo Sauce: A rich, creamy white sauce that provides luxurious texture and depth.
• Ricotta Cheese: A soft, mild cheese that adds creaminess and richness to the dish.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Provolone Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Romano Cheese: A perfect combination of melty and sharp cheeses that create a complex and delicious flavor profile.

• Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning: Herbs and spices that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
• Breadcrumbs, Unsalted Butter: Create a crispy, golden topping that adds texture and richness.

• Fresh Parsley: A fresh herb that adds a pop of color and bright flavor to the finished dish.

Steps to Creamy Ziti Al Forno at Home

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Preheat your oven to a toasty 375°F, getting ready for a delicious pasta adventure.

Step 2: Cook Pasta Perfectly

Boil ziti pasta in salted water until it reaches al dente texture.

Drain and set aside for the next delicious phase.

Step 3: Blend Saucy Goodness

• Marinara sauce
• Alfredo sauce
• Ricotta cheese
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning

Stir everything together until well mixed.

Step 4: Coat Pasta In Sauce

Toss the cooked ziti into the sauce mixture, ensuring every pasta piece gets a delicious coating.

Step 5: Layer First Cheese Level

Grease a baking dish and spread half of the ziti mixture.

• Mozzarella
• Provolone
• Parmesan
• Romano

Step 6: Add Final Pasta Layer

Pour the remaining ziti mixture over the first cheese layer.

Step 7: Top With Cheese Blanket

Scatter the remaining cheese blend across the top, creating a mouthwatering surface.

Step 8: Create Crispy Breadcrumb Topping

Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter, then sprinkle evenly over the cheesy surface.

Step 9: Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the top turns golden and the edges bubble with cheesy excitement.

Step 10: Serve And Enjoy

Remove from oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot for an irresistible meal.

Tips for Ziti Al Forno That Delivers

• Ensure ziti is cooked precisely al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain ideal texture.
• Mix cheeses thoroughly to create a smooth, creamy sauce that coats every pasta bite evenly.
• Toast breadcrumbs with melted butter before sprinkling to enhance crunchiness and add golden color.
• Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow cheese to set and make serving easier.
• If sauce seems too thick, add a splash of pasta water to achieve perfect creamy consistency.

Ziti Al Forno Variations Worth Making

• Gluten-Free Ziti Delight: Replace regular ziti with gluten-free pasta and use gluten-free breadcrumbs. Ensure all sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegetable-Packed Version: Add roasted zucchini, spinach, and bell peppers to the sauce mixture for extra nutrition and flavor. Sauté vegetables before mixing to enhance taste.
• Protein-Boosted Option: Incorporate cooked chicken, ground turkey, or plant-based crumbles into the sauce for a heartier meal. Brown protein before mixing with other ingredients.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute dairy cheeses with cashew-based or almond-based cheese alternatives. Use dairy-free marinara and alfredo sauces to create a completely plant-based dish.

Serving Ideas for Five Cheese Ziti

• Cheesy Companion Delight: Pair this zesty ziti with a crisp garden salad dressed in Italian vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast to the rich, cheesy pasta.
• Restaurant-Style Plate Presentation: Serve in individual ceramic dishes garnished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan for an authentic Olive Garden experience.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the creamy, cheesy flavors with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or a light Pinot Noir to balance the dish's richness.
• Side Dish Harmony: Add garlic bread or roasted vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers to create a complete, satisfying meal that feels like a restaurant-quality dinner at home.

Best Ways to Store Ziti Al Forno Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled ziti to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal, and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, cover ziti with aluminum foil to prevent burning, bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove foil during the last 5 minutes to restore crispy top and ensure even heating.

Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Olive Garden’s Five Cheese Ziti al Forno brings Italian comfort straight to kitchen tables with layers of melted cheeses and rich marinara sauce. Hearty pasta lovers will savor each baked, cheesy bite of this classic Italian-American casserole that promises warmth and satisfaction.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 1 lb (454 grams) ziti pasta

Cheeses:

• 1 cup (240 grams) ricotta cheese
• 1 cup (100 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup (100 grams) shredded provolone cheese
• 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup (25 grams) Romano cheese

Sauces and Seasonings:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) marinara sauce
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) alfredo sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 375°F (190°C), ensuring a hot environment for baking.
2. Cook ziti pasta in generously salted water until perfectly tender, then drain thoroughly.
3. Create a luxurious sauce blend by whisking marinara, alfredo, ricotta, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a spacious mixing bowl.
4. Gently fold cooked ziti into the sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is lavishly coated.
5. Grease a baking dish and distribute half the ziti mixture as the foundational layer.
6. Generously scatter a medley of mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses across the first layer.
7. Pour the remaining ziti mixture over the initial cheese layer, creating a hearty second tier.
8. Crown the dish with the remaining cheese blend, promising a golden, melted topping.
9. Combine breadcrumbs with melted butter, then sprinkle the crispy mixture evenly across the surface.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes until the top turns golden and the edges bubble with cheesy excitement.
11. Extract from oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve piping hot for maximum flavor enjoyment.

Notes

• Choose short ziti pasta for authentic Olive Garden texture, ensuring even sauce coating.
• Mix sauces thoroughly before adding pasta to create a consistent, creamy base with balanced flavors.
• Use freshly grated cheese blends for superior melting and richer taste compared to pre-packaged options.
• Toast breadcrumbs lightly before adding to butter for extra crunch and deeper golden color on top.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 540 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg