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Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno Copycat (Video)

Five Cheese Ziti al Forno

This is a copycat recipe for Olive Garden's Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, creating a warm, cheesy, and comforting pasta dish at home. The recipe features a creamy pink sauce made by combining marinara, heavy cream, and a blend of five Italian cheeses that perfectly coats the ziti. A crispy topping of breadcrumbs and cheese provides a wonderful textural contrast to the creamy pasta below, making it an impressive and satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 398
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb Ziti pasta
  • 1/4 cup bread crumbs (for the topping)
  • 2 cups marinara sauce (use your favorite high-quality brand)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained well
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese blend (a mix of grated Parmesan, Romano, and Asiago)
  • 1/2 cup fontina cheese, grated (or Monterey Jack)
  • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large saucepan or Dutch oven
  • 9x13 inch baking dish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the Pasta: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the ziti and cook according to the package directions, but pull it out about 1-2 minutes before it’s fully done (al dente). It will finish cooking in the oven. Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
  2. Create the Creamy Tomato Sauce: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the marinara sauce, heavy cream, drained diced tomatoes, and sugar. Stir everything together and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
  3. Melt the Cheeses: Reduce the heat to low and begin stirring in the cheeses. Add the Parmesan blend and the Fontina cheese, stirring continuously until they are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  4. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Gently fold the cooked ziti into the cheese sauce. Stir until every piece of pasta is generously coated.
  5. Assemble the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour the pasta and sauce mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer.
  6. Add the Topping: Sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the ziti. Then, sprinkle the bread crumbs over the mozzarella.
  7. Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You're looking for the sauce to be bubbly and the cheese on top to be melted and golden brown. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For the best results, undercook the pasta by 1-2 minutes as it will finish cooking in the oven. Grating your own cheese is recommended for the smoothest sauce. Ensure diced tomatoes are drained thoroughly to avoid a watery dish. The casserole can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated before baking; just add 10-15 minutes to the bake time.