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Craving the irresistible flavors of Olive Garden’s Five Cheese Baked Ziti al Forno? Recreate this iconic dish in your own kitchen! This copycat recipe features perfectly cooked ziti pasta smothered in a luscious blend of five cheeses – mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, fontina, and ricotta, with the tangy flavors of rich tomato sauce. Baked to golden perfection, it’s a cheesy delight that will transport your taste buds straight to Italy. Enjoy the comfort and satisfaction of Olive Garden’s classic dish, all from the comfort of your own home.

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Below you will find tips, tricks and helpful hints for making this recipe including step by step instructions with pictures. If you would like to go directly to the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card or tap “Jump to Recipe” at the top of the page.

Why You’ll Love this Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno Recipe

• This pasta dish is a copycat recipe of an Olive Garden favorite, so you know it’s going to be delicious!
• The five different varieties of cheese blends beautifully for a rich and flavorful dish.
• This recipe is easy to make and perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
• Enjoy the flavors of a favorite Italian restaurant for a fraction of the price!

Olive Garden Baked Ziti Recipe Ingredients

*Ingredient amounts are located in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Ziti Pasta: The star of the dish, ziti pasta is a tube-shaped pasta that’s perfect for holding onto all that cheesy goodness. If you can’t find ziti pasta, penne pasta or rigatoni can be substituted. If you’re a pasta lover like me, be sure to try this Rigatoni al Forno!

Marinara Sauce: A classic Italian tomato sauce, you’ll need two jars of marinara sauce for this recipe. Choose your favorite brand or make your own homemade sauce if you’re feeling ambitious.

Alfredo Sauce: For added creaminess and flavor, this recipe also calls for a jar of Alfredo sauce. You can use store-bought or make your own homemade Alfredo sauce using this recipe here.

Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella cheese adds the perfect amount of gooeyness to this dish. Be sure to reserve some for topping the pasta before baking.

Ricotta Cheese: Creamy and tangy ricotta cheese is essential for this recipe. It adds a depth of flavor and creaminess to the dish.

Provolone Cheese: Shredded provolone cheese is another key ingredient that gives this dish its signature flavor.

Romano Cheese: Grated Romano cheese adds a salty, nutty flavor to the baked ziti. If you can’t find Romano cheese, Parmesan can be used as a substitute.

Parmesan Cheese: The topping for this dish is a mixture of Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, garlic, and olive oil. It adds a crispy, flavorful finish to the baked ziti.

Bread Crumbs: Plain or seasoned bread crumbs add texture and flavor to the topping of this dish. Panko breadcrumbs are also a great option.

Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives this dish a delicious kick of flavor.

Olive Oil: This recipe calls for olive oil to bind the topping ingredients together and add some moisture.

How to Make Olive Garden Five Cheese Baked Ziti al Forno

[Step 1] Cook and drain the pasta al dente, according to the package directions. 

[Step 2] White the pasta is cooking, combine the marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, 1 cup of mozzarella, ricotta, provolone, and Romano cheese in a large skillet or sauce pan over medium heat. When the cheese has melted, stir in the cooked ziti.

[Step 3] Pour the pasta mixture into a 9×13 baking dish that has been lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top.

[Step 4] Topping: Stir the Parmesan, bread crumbs, garlic, and olive oil together in a small mixing bowl. Sprinkle the topping mixture over the mozzarella covered pasta.

[Step 5] Bake the pasta uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes until the top has turned golden brown. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving in individual bowls. Top with more Parmesan and chopped parsley or basil if desired.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

• Stock Pot
• Strainer
• Skillet or Saucepan
• Mixing Bowl
• 9×13 Baking Dish

How to Store Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.

What to Serve with this Copycat Version of Olive Garden’s Baked Ziti

• Tossed Italian Salad
• Macaroni Grill Rosemary Bread
• Air Fryer Garlic Bread
• New York Cheesecake
• White Chocolate Cheesecake

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Indulge in all the flavors of Olive Garden’s Five Cheese Baked Ziti al Forno with this easy Olive Garden copycat recipe. With a blend of five cheeses and rich, creamy sauces, it’s a dish that will satisfy all your comfort food cravings and might be the best baked ziti recipe! Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this baked ziti is sure to become a new favorite in your household.  So, go ahead and give it a try! Your taste buds will thank you.  

More Pasta Recipes

• Olive Garden Fettuccini Alfredo
• Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta
• Spaghetti Factory Browned Butter with Mizithra Cheese
• Spaghetti Alfredo
• Crock Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
• Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
• Easy Tortellini Bake

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