Description
Five cheese ziti al forno elevates pasta with rich Italian flavors from Olive Garden’s classic menu. Home cooks can recreate this comforting baked ziti with simple ingredients and precise techniques you’ll enjoy making.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded Romano cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded Fontina cheese
Pasta and Sauce:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups Alfredo sauce
Seasonings and Toppings:
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Ignite the oven to a toasty 375F (190C), preparing for a cheesy culinary adventure.
- Transform ziti pasta into perfectly tender strands by boiling according to package guidance, then gently drain and reserve.
- Craft a luxurious sauce symphony by blending marinara, velvety Alfredo, and creamy ricotta in a spacious mixing vessel.
- Enrobe the cooked ziti completely with the sauce medley, ensuring each pasta tube is generously coated.
- Establish the first delectable layer in a prepared baking dish, generously scattering mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, and Fontina cheeses across the surface.
- Crown the dish with the remaining ziti mixture, creating a second sumptuous stratum.
- Construct a crispy topping by whisking breadcrumbs with melted butter and aromatic Italian seasoning, then dust evenly over the cheese-laden landscape.
- Slide the dish into the heated oven, allowing 20-25 minutes of transformative baking until the surface turns golden and the edges bubble with irresistible promise.
Notes
- Perfectly cook pasta just shy of package instructions to prevent mushiness when baking, ensuring a delightful al dente texture.
- Experiment with low-fat cheese alternatives or swap marinara for a lighter tomato sauce to create a healthier version of this indulgent dish.
- Toast breadcrumbs separately before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and create an extra crispy golden topping that adds delicious crunch.
- Allow the ziti to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help cheese set and make serving easier, preventing a runny consistency.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 448 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 490 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg