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Olive Garden Baked Ziti Copycat Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 90 reviews

This Olive Garden Baked Ziti Copycat Recipe delivers a comforting Italian-American classic with layers of flavorful Italian sausage, a rich marinara sauce, three cheeses, and perfectly cooked ziti pasta, all baked together until bubbly and golden. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dish that can be prepared on the stovetop and finished in the oven, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Sausage and Sauce

  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 28 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Cheeses

  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
  • ¼ cup asiago cheese, shredded
  • ¼ cup romano cheese, shredded
  • ½ cup small curd cottage cheese
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 16 ounces whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded

Pasta and Liquids

  • 12 ounces ziti pasta
  • 3 cups water

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F to prepare for baking the ziti at the end, ensuring a hot environment for melting and browning the cheese.
  2. Cook Sausage: In a large non-stick, oven-safe skillet, cook the ground Italian sausage over medium-high heat. Use a wooden spoon to break it into small pieces. Once fully cooked and browned, remove the sausage with a slotted spoon to drain excess fat and set aside.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for about one minute until fragrant but not burnt, to infuse the oil.
  4. Add Sauce and Cheeses: Stir in the marinara sauce along with shredded parmesan, asiago, and romano cheeses, mixing thoroughly to combine and enhance the sauce’s flavor profile.
  5. Add Pasta and Seasonings: Pour in 3 cups of water, add the ziti pasta, salt, and Italian seasoning. Stir well to evenly distribute the ingredients throughout the skillet.
  6. Simmer Pasta: Cover the skillet and cook over medium to medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the ziti is nearly tender but still slightly firm. This prevents overcooking when baked.
  7. Mix in Dairy and Sausage: Stir in the cooked Italian sausage, heavy cream, and cottage cheese. Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, ensuring a balanced flavor.
  8. Add Mozzarella Cheese: If using an oven-safe skillet, evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top of the mixture. If not, transfer half the mixture to a baking dish, top with half the mozzarella, then layer the remaining mixture and sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella cheese.
  9. Bake the Ziti: Place the skillet or baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for about 10 minutes or until the cheese melts and begins to bubble. Continue baking until the cheese turns lightly golden brown, indicating a perfect crust.
  10. Rest Before Serving: Remove from the oven and let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to meld and the dish to set slightly for easier serving.
  11. Serve: Serve the baked ziti warm accompanied by a fresh salad or crusty bread for a complete meal. Enjoy this delicious Olive Garden-inspired dish with family or friends!

Notes

  • Using an oven-safe skillet simplifies the cooking process by reducing transfer steps.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes amount to control the dish’s spiciness to your liking.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk and use low-fat cottage cheese.
  • If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the Italian sausage and add sautéed mushrooms or vegetables.
  • Be careful not to overcook the pasta on the stovetop as it will continue cooking during baking.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: baked ziti, Olive Garden copycat, Italian sausage pasta, baked pasta, comfort food, Italian-American recipe

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/olive-garden-baked-ziti-copycat-recipe/