Description
I still remember the first time I tasted the Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno. It was a cozy family dinner, laughter echoing around the table as we shared stories and savored each cheesy, creamy bite. The ziti, bubbling with a rich marinara sauce and a heavenly five-cheese blend, had me hooked from the very first forkful! Now, as much as I adore dining out, there’s something incredibly comforting about recreating that cherished experience at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 15 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese blend
- ½ cup fontina cheese
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese (for topping)
- 1 cup bread crumbs
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add 1 pound of ziti pasta. Cook it al dente according to package directions, usually about 9-11 minutes.
- In a medium saucepan, combine 24 oz of marinara sauce, 1 cup of heavy cream, and 15 oz of diced tomatoes. Stir in 1 teaspoon of sugar if desired. Simmer over medium heat for 10-12 minutes.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and add ¾ cup of parmesan cheese blend, ½ cup of fontina cheese, and ½ cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir until melted.
- In a 9×13 inch baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti pasta on the bottom.
- Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the pasta, ensuring even distribution.
- Top the sauced pasta with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup of parmesan cheese.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the cheese layer.
- Broil for about 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden-brown.
- If preparing as a casserole, cover the baking dish with foil and bake at 350°F for 30-45 minutes, removing the foil for the last 10 minutes.
- To freeze, cool completely before wrapping. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake covered at 350°F for 45-60 minutes.
Notes
- Quality Marinara Sauce: Opt for a high-quality marinara sauce for the best flavor.
- Cooking Pasta: Make sure to cook the ziti al dente.
- Fresh vs. Canned Tomatoes: If using fresh tomatoes, consider slicing some heirloom varieties.
- Creaminess Factor: When adding heavy cream, do it slowly and stir continuously.
- Breadcrumb Topping: For that extra crunch, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and Italian seasoning.
- Freezing Tips: Cool completely before wrapping to prevent ice crystals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno