Description
Recreate Olive Garden’s Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno at home with this easy and delicious baked pasta recipe. Featuring a creamy marinara and Alfredo sauce blend, five kinds of cheese, and a golden, bubbly topping, this dish is perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup Alfredo sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded Romano cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (if using breadcrumbs)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the ziti according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a mixing bowl, combine marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, mix cooked pasta with prepared sauce.
- Stir in mozzarella, Parmesan, ricotta, provolone, and Romano cheeses, reserving some mozzarella for topping.
- Add the Topping:
- If using, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over pasta.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella on top.
- Bake:
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Let rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Add Protein: Mix in cooked chicken, Italian sausage, or ground beef.
- Make it Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne.
- Vegetable Boost: Stir in mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: pasta , casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: five cheese ziti al forno, baked ziti recipe, Olive Garden copycat, cheesy pasta bake, easy Italian pasta.