Description
Olive Garden’s Five Cheese Ziti al Forno brings Italian comfort straight to home kitchens with rich, melted cheeses and hearty pasta. Warm, bubbling layers promise a delicious escape that beckons you to savor each comforting, cheesy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup alfredo sauce
Cheeses:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup Romano cheese
- 1/4 cup Asiago cheese
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a toasty 375°F and lightly coat a rectangular baking vessel with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare ziti pasta in boiling water until perfectly tender, ensuring it maintains a slight bite. Carefully drain and set aside.
- Create a luxurious cheese blend by whisking together marinara and alfredo sauces with a medley of five distinct cheeses – ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, and Asiago – until smooth and well-integrated.
- Gently fold the cooked ziti into the creamy cheese mixture, ensuring each pasta tube is generously enveloped in the rich sauce.
- Elegantly transfer the pasta ensemble into the prepared baking dish, distributing it evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Craft a crispy topping by mixing breadcrumbs with fragrant olive oil and aromatic Italian seasoning, then delicately scatter the mixture across the pasta surface.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake until the top transforms into a golden, bubbling masterpiece, approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and crown the dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and herbaceous freshness.
- Serve immediately while the cheese remains gloriously molten and inviting.
Notes
- Customize cheese blend by substituting with similar melting cheeses like fontina or provolone for unique flavor profiles.
- Ensure pasta remains al dente to prevent mushy texture when baking, cooking 1-2 minutes less than package instructions.
- Reduce carbohydrate content by replacing ziti with zucchini noodles or using whole wheat pasta for healthier alternatives.
- Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta, maintaining the dish’s rich, creamy essence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 670
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 72 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg