Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno Copycat Recipe
This Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno Copycat Recipe recreates the beloved Italian-American classic with a rich, creamy five-cheese marinara sauce layered over perfectly cooked ziti pasta. Topped with a golden breadcrumb crust and melted mozzarella, this comforting baked pasta dish is perfect for family dinners or special occasions, delivering cheesy, savory goodness in every bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Ziti and Topping
- 1 lb Ziti pasta
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs (for the topping)
Five Cheese Marinara Sauce
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 15 oz drained diced tomatoes (or 2 fresh tomatoes, diced)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese blend (grated Parmesan, Romano, Asiago)
- 1/2 cup Fontina cheese (can use grated Monterey Jack)
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese (grated)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta into a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Toss the pasta with a little oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine the marinara sauce, heavy cream, diced tomatoes, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese blend, 1/2 cup of the Fontina cheese, and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese until the sauce becomes bubbly and creamy. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Dish: Place the cooked pasta in an oven-safe serving dish. Ladle the prepared five-cheese marinara sauce evenly over the pasta. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese blend over the top.
- Add Breadcrumbs and Broil: Evenly sprinkle the bread crumbs over the cheese layer. Place the dish under the broiler just until the cheese turns golden brown and bubbly, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving. Enjoy your rich, cheesy Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno.
Notes
- Casserole instructions: For a baked casserole, place the pasta in a lightly greased 9×13 baking dish. Ladle all the sauce over the top and sprinkle with one cup of mozzarella and a quarter cup of Parmesan cheese. Top with breadcrumbs and bake covered at 350°F (175°C) for 30-45 minutes. Finish by broiling the top until golden and bubbly.
- Ziti Al Forno can be assembled ahead and refrigerated or frozen for later use.
- Cheese substitutions are flexible; Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, or different Parmesan blends work well.
Keywords: Olive Garden, Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno, Copycat Recipe, Baked Pasta, Italian, Five Cheese Sauce, Comfort Food, Ziti