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Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno is a creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish featuring ziti smothered in marinara, heavy cream, and five delicious cheeses for the ultimate comfort meal!
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Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno

Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno is a creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish featuring ziti smothered in marinara, heavy cream, and five delicious cheeses for the ultimate comfort meal!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Keyword Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno, Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 10

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Ziti
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 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
  • 15 oz diced tomatoes drained or 2 diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
  • Drain, rinse with cold water, and toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil; set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine the marinara sauce, heavy cream, tomatoes, and sugar.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer, then stir in 1/2 cup of the parmesan cheese blend, 1/2 cup of fontina cheese, and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Keep stirring until the sauce turns bubbly, then remove it from the heat.
  • Transfer the pasta to an oven-safe serving dish and generously ladle the sauce over the top. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese along with 1/4 cup of the parmesan cheese blend over the dish.
  • Add breadcrumbs evenly over the surface, then place under the broiler just until the cheese browns. Finish by garnishing with freshly grated parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes

  • For the cheese blends, feel free to use all parmesan cheese for a mix of Asiago, Romano, and parmesan, or opt for an Italian cheese blend that contains all five varieties. If you prefer, substitute Fontina cheese with white Monterey Jack cheese.
  • To make this dish ahead or to freeze it, cook the noodles for under 2 minutes, rinse them with cold water, and toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Transfer the noodles to a baking dish, prepare the sauce, and let it cool slightly before pouring over the pasta. Avoid stirring the sauce in to keep the layers intact. Allow the dish to cool completely before covering. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.