This copycat Olive Garden five cheese ziti al forno is “a cheater recipe,” according to recipe developer and test kitchen expert Juliana Hale. “The jarred sauces and cheese blend make it super easy, but no one else will know that. It’s so good!”
Five Cheese Ziti al Forno Ingredients
These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this copycat five cheese ziti al forno recipe:
- Pasta: This recipe starts with a pound of dry ziti pasta.
- Cheeses: It should come as no surprise that you’ll need plenty of cheeses for this dish: A package of Italian five cheese blend shredded cheese, a cup of ricotta, and grated Parmesan.
- Jarred sauce: Using jarred sauce cuts down on time — but, of course, you can make your own marinara and Alfredo sauces!
- Bread crumbs: Use store-bought or homemade seasoned bread crumbs.
- Butter: You’ll need two tablespoons of melted butter for the rich topping.
- Garlic: Flavor the buttery bread crumb topping with fresh garlic.
How to Make Five Cheese Ziti al Forno
You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make Olive Garden five cheese ziti al forno:
- Cook and drain the pasta.
- Toss the pasta with the sauces, half of the Italian blend cheeses, and ricotta.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Make the topping and sprinkle it over the pasta.
- Bake the five cheese ziti al forno until bubbly and golden.
Test Kitchen Tips
- Using Italian blend cheeses is a time and money saver. You get 5 cheeses in one package and it’s already shredded and ready to use.
- You may substitute 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup shredded Romano cheese, and 1/2 cup shredded provolone or Asiago cheese for the shredded Italian blend cheeses.
- You may substitute plain panko crumbs and add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
What to Serve With Five Cheese Ziti al Forno
Looking for serving inspiration? We’ve got you covered with our collection of Olive Garden-inspired recipes. We recommend pairing this five cheese ziti al forno with homemade buttery breadsticks.
How to Store Five Cheese Ziti al Forno
Store your leftover five cheese ziti al forno in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat in the oven or in the microwave.
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams
Ingredients
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1 pound dry ziti pasta
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1 (8 ounce) package Italian five cheese blend shredded cheese
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2 (24-ounce) jars marinara sauce
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1 (15-ounce) jar Alfredo sauce
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1 cup ricotta cheese
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1/4 cup Italian seasoned panko bread crumbs
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1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
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2 cloves garlic, minced
Directions
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Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
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Cook the pasta 1 minute less than directed on the package. Drain pasta and transfer to a large bowl.
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Set aside 1/2 cup of the Italian five cheese blend shredded cheese.
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Add marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, remaining Italian blend cheeses, and ricotta cheese to the pasta; toss to combine.
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Transfer pasta mixture to the prepared dish. Top with reserved 1/2 cup cheese.
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For the topping, in a small bowl, combine panko, Parmesan, melted butter, and garlic. Sprinkle over the pasta mixture in the baking dish.
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Bake until golden brown and bubbly, 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 629 | Calories |
| 45g | Fat |
| 32g | Carbs |
| 25g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 8 | |
| Calories 629 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 45g | 57% |
| Saturated Fat 25g | 126% |
| Cholesterol 133mg | 44% |
| Sodium 1855mg | 81% |
| Total Carbohydrate 32g | 12% |
| Dietary Fiber 5g | 16% |
| Total Sugars 12g | |
| Protein 25g | 51% |
| Vitamin C 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium 631mg | 49% |
| Iron 3mg | 15% |
| Potassium 890mg | 19% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
