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