Recreate the comforting, restaurant-quality magic of Olive Garden with this irresistible Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno recipe! Featuring tender ziti pasta smothered in a rich blend of marinara and Alfredo sauces, this dish is elevated with a luscious medley of five cheeses—ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, romano, and provolone—for a creamy, indulgent flavor in every bite. Topped with golden, buttery panko breadcrumbs for an irresistible crunch, this baked pasta is the epitome of Italian comfort food. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, it’s both easy to prepare and sure to impress. Ready in under an hour and ideal for feeding a crowd, this five-cheese baked ziti will transport you straight to your favorite Italian trattoria.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine marinara sauce, alfredo sauce, ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well until smooth.
Add the cooked ziti to the sauce mixture and toss to evenly coat the pasta.
In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spread half of the pasta mixture evenly.
Sprinkle an even layer of mozzarella, provolone, parmesan, and romano cheeses over the pasta. Reserve some cheese for topping.
Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, and sprinkle any leftover cheese evenly over the surface.
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the pasta.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, before serving.
Calories |
3736 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 156.0 g | 200% | |
| Saturated Fat | 87.0 g | 435% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 530 mg | 177% | |
| Sodium | 6378 mg | 277% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 428.2 g | 156% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 31.1 g | 111% | |
| Total Sugars | 38.3 g | ||
| Protein | 172.9 g | 346% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 3696 mg | 284% | |
| Iron | 24.0 mg | 133% | |
| Potassium | 650 mg | 14% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.