Description
This Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno Copycat is a creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish featuring a rich five-cheese marinara sauce and perfectly cooked ziti. Topped with breadcrumbs and baked until golden and bubbly, this comforting casserole is perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Ziti Al Forno Olive Garden Copycat:
- 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 two 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, cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Toss with a small amount of oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the marinara sauce, heavy cream, diced tomatoes, and sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese blend, 1/2 cup of fontina cheese, and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is bubbly. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the dish: Place the cooked pasta in an oven-safe serving dish and pour the five-cheese marinara sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese blend evenly over the pasta and sauce. Then sprinkle the bread crumbs on top to create a crunchy topping.
- Broil until golden: Place the assembled dish under the broiler in your oven just long enough for the cheese to brown and bubble and the breadcrumbs to turn golden, typically 3–5 minutes. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
- Casserole baking option: Alternatively, place the pasta in a lightly greased 9×13 baking dish, pour all the sauce over it, and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese along with breadcrumbs. Cover and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-45 minutes. Remove the cover and broil briefly until the top turns golden brown.
Notes
- The casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.
- You can substitute the cheeses with similar types on hand, such as Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, or Parmesan.
- Keep a close watch when broiling to prevent the topping from burning.
- For a crispier topping, use fresh breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs.
- Use fresh diced tomatoes for a fresher tomato flavor, if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
