Olive Garden Five Cheese Baked Ziti al Forno (Copycat)

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Craving Olive Garden’s Five Cheese Baked Ziti? Now you can make it at home! This easy copycat recipe features ziti pasta loaded with a creamy blend of mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, fontina, and ricotta cheeses, all mixed with a tangy tomato sauce. Baked until golden and bubbly, it’s the ultimate cheesy comfort dish that brings the taste of Italy right to your kitchen!

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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

If you’re a fan of cheesy, comforting pasta dishes, you’re going to love this copycat Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno! It’s packed with a creamy blend of five different cheeses and a zesty tomato sauce that brings all those delicious, Italian-inspired flavors together.

It’s the perfect dish to whip up when you want something cozy and satisfying without the hassle of dining out. Plus, it’s super easy to make, so you can enjoy that restaurant-quality taste right at home—perfect for family dinners or impressing guests!

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

• Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes, you can assemble the pasta and topping ingredients up to a day in advance. Just cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
• Can I freeze this dish? Yes, you can freeze this baked ziti before or after baking. If freezing before baking, allow it to thaw before baking according to the recipe instructions. If freezing after baking, allow it to cool completely before freezing in an airtight container. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator and then bake in the oven until heated through.
• Can I use different types of cheeses? Absolutely! You can play around with different cheeses to find your perfect blend. Just make sure to stick to 5 cups total of cheese for the best results.
• Can I add meat to this recipe? Of course! Ground beef, ground Italian sausage, or even meatballs would be a great addition to this delicious dinner.

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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