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Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno Copycat Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 64 reviews

This Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno copycat is a creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish combining tender ziti with a rich five-cheese marinara sauce, topped with golden breadcrumbs and melted mozzarella. A perfect comfort food recipe that brings restaurant-style flavor to your kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1 lb Ziti pasta
  • Oil (for tossing cooked pasta)

Sauce and Cheese Mixture

  • 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)

Topping

  • 1/4 cup bread crumbs
  • Additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook and prep the ziti pasta: In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta into a colander and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Toss the drained pasta with a little oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
  2. Make the five-cheese marinara sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the marinara sauce, heavy cream, diced tomatoes, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Add half of the Parmesan cheese blend (about 1/2 cup), half of the fontina cheese (1/4 cup), and half of the mozzarella cheese (3/4 cup). Stir continuously until cheeses melt into the sauce and create a creamy, bubbly mixture, then remove from heat.
  3. Assemble and bake the pasta: Preheat your oven to broil. Place the cooked ziti pasta in an oven-safe serving or baking dish. Pour the five-cheese marinara sauce evenly over the pasta and toss gently to combine. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese blend over the top. Then evenly sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top of the cheese layer.
  4. Broil until cheese browns and topping is crispy: Place the assembled dish under the oven broiler just until the cheese topping starts to bubble and turns golden brown, usually 3-5 minutes. Keep a close watch to avoid burning.
  5. Garnish and serve: Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle with additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving warm. Enjoy this rich, cheesy baked ziti as a delicious entree or family meal.

Notes

  • For a casserole variation, bake the assembled dish at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until bubbly before broiling for browned topping.
  • Use fresh diced tomatoes in place of canned for a fresher taste.
  • Tossing pasta with oil after cooking prevents clumping.
  • Keep a close eye under the broiler as cheese can burn quickly.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3-4 days and reheat nicely in the oven.

Keywords: Five Cheese Ziti, Olive Garden Copycat, Baked Pasta, Italian Comfort Food, Ziti Al Forno

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