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Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno Copycat Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 61 reviews
  • Author: Jasmine
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes (plus broiling time of approximately 5 minutes)
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Broiling
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

This Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno Copycat recipe delivers a creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish featuring a rich five-cheese marinara sauce. Perfect for family dinners, it combines tender ziti pasta with a luxurious blend of Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, Fontina, and Mozzarella cheeses, topped with crispy breadcrumbs and broiled to golden perfection.

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

  1. Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Toss the pasta with a bit of oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
  2. Prepare the Five Cheese Marinara Sauce: 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 Fontina cheese, and 1/2 cup of Mozzarella cheese until the sauce is bubbly and all cheeses are melted. Remove from heat.
  3. Assemble the Dish: Place the cooked pasta in an oven-safe serving dish. Spoon the prepared five cheese marinara sauce evenly over the pasta. Sprinkle 1 cup of Mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese blend on top. Evenly distribute the breadcrumbs over the cheese layer.
  4. Broil to Finish: Place the dish under a broiler and broil just until the top cheese and breadcrumbs become golden brown and bubbly, taking care not to burn.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving for an extra cheesy finish.

Notes

  • Casserole Instructions: For a baked casserole version, place the pasta in a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Ladle all the sauce over the top and sprinkle with 1 cup of Mozzarella and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese blend. Top with breadcrumbs, cover, and bake at 350°F for 30-45 minutes. Then broil the top for a few minutes until golden brown.
  • Ziti Al Forno can be assembled ahead and refrigerated or frozen for later use.
  • Feel free to substitute cheeses as needed with similar varieties such as Monterey Jack or more Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 620mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg

Find it online: https://jmrecipes.com/olive-garden-five-cheese-ziti-al-forno-copycat-recipe/