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Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno Copycat Recipe

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4.4 from 8 reviews

  • Author: Eve
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings

Description

This Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno Copycat recipe recreates the classic Italian-American favorite at home with a creamy five-cheese marinara sauce, tender ziti pasta, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Featuring a blend of Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, fontina, and mozzarella cheeses simmered with marinara and heavy cream, it’s an easy yet indulgent dinner perfect for family gatherings or weeknight meals.

Ingredients

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 5-quart pot, cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain into a colander and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Toss the drained pasta with a little oil to prevent sticking, then 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 sauce mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese blend, 1/2 cup fontina cheese, and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese until melted and bubbly. Remove from heat.
  3. Assemble the ziti al forno: Place the cooked pasta in an oven-safe serving dish or baking dish. Ladle the prepared cheese marinara sauce evenly over the ziti. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese blend on top. Evenly scatter the bread crumbs over the cheese layer.
  4. Broil to finish: Place the assembled dish under a broiler until the top cheese is browned and bubbly and the breadcrumbs are golden and crisp, about 2-5 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  5. Garnish and serve: Once broiled, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately for a creamy, cheesy Italian dinner at home.

Notes

  • Casserole Instructions: For a baked casserole version, place the pasta in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour all the sauce over the pasta and top with 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese blend. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-45 minutes, then remove foil and broil for a few minutes until the top is golden and crispy.
  • Ziti Al Forno can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen for later use.
  • Substitute cheeses based on availability, such as Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, or additional Parmesan varieties.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Broiling
  • Cuisine: Italian

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