Description
This Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno is a creamy, cheesy pasta bake you can make at home. With a blend of five cheeses, marinara, Alfredo, and perfectly baked pasta, it’s the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or when you want a budget-friendly pasta dish that tastes restaurant-quality.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta (penne works too)
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 cup Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- ½ cup Romano cheese (grated)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- In a bowl, mix marinara, Alfredo sauce, and Italian seasoning.
- Stir pasta into the sauce mixture until well coated.
- In another bowl, combine ricotta, half the mozzarella, half the provolone, Parmesan, and Romano.
- Layer half the pasta in the baking dish, spread cheese mixture, then top with remaining pasta.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and provolone on top.
- Bake 25–30 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use penne if you don’t have ziti.
- Add grilled chicken, sausage, or veggies like spinach and mushrooms for variations.
- Make ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours before baking.
- Freezer-friendly: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months.
- For a flavor twist, add chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta, Comfort Food
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, Olive Garden Copycat, Cheesy Pasta Bake, Ziti al Forno, Baked Pasta Recipe