Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno (Best Copycat Recipe)

This Olive Garden five cheese ziti al forno is decadent, creamy, and even better than the original. This simple recipe combines tender ziti pasta with a creamy marinara sauce and an assortment of shredded cheese to make the ultimate weeknight pasta dish!

The Best Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno

There's no denying that Olive Garden's pasta is the best, and their five cheese ziti al forno is my personal favorite item on their menu.

And since I've pretty much made all of the Olive Garden copycat recipes out there, I figured it's about time I make a copycat version of the best baked ziti recipe ever!

This copycat recipe has perfectly cooked ziti pasta baked in a flavorful marinara and alfredo sauce, all topped with an assortment of melty cheeses and crunchy bread crumbs.

How good does that sound?!

Oh, and it's even better if you serve it with these Olive Garden breadsticks. 

Why This Recipe Works

Easy to make. All you have to do for this recipe is cook the pasta, build the sauce, combine everything, and pop it in the oven. It's effortless!

The cheeses. Five kinds of cheese might seem like too many, but trust me, they all mix together so well and create the most delicious flavor.

Best copycat recipe. This five cheese ziti al forno is identical to the original, and it might be even better.

Crowd-pleaser. Anyone who loves pasta always loves this recipe, so it's the perfect family meal or dinner if you're hosting.

Ingredients

The ingredient list for this Olive Garden ziti recipe could not be more simple. Honestly, you probably have most of what you'll need on hand already!

Check out all of the Olive Garden five cheese ziti al forno ingredients:

• 4 cups Ziti
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 tsp. sugar
• ¾ cup Parmesan cheese blend (grated parmesan, Romano, Asiago)
• ½ cup Fontina cheese or Monterey Jack cheese, grated
• 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, grated
• ¼ cup bread crumbs

By the way, you can use some of these same ingredients to make this Carbone spicy rigatoni recipe, so you'll want to give that a try next!

How To Make Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno

1. Cook the pasta: Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions. Once cooked, toss it with two tablespoons of olive oil so it doesn't stick, and set it aside.

2. Make the sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the marinara sauce, heavy cream, tomatoes, and sugar. Bring the sauce mixture to a simmer and add the ¼ cup of parmesan cheese blend, ¼ Monterey cheese, and ½ mozzarella cheese. Stir until all of the cheeses are bubbly and remove it from heat.

3 Assemble and bake: Place the cooked pasta into an oven-safe serving dish and pour the cheesy sauce evenly on the top. Sprinkle the dish with the rest of the cheeses and breadcrumbs on top and broil just until the cheese browns. 

4. Serve: Garnish the baked ziti with freshly grated parmesan cheese on top and serve hot. Enjoy! 

Tips To Make The Best Baked Ziti Recipe

• Add a layer of ricotta cheese on top of the pasta before pouring the sauce mixture over top for more traditional baked ziti. 
• Cook the pasta until al dente since it will cook a little bit more in the oven. This will ensure that they don't get too mushy.
• Use panko bread crumbs for a crunchier topping.
• Immediately assemble the dish as soon as the sauce is ready to go. 
• Only broil the pasta until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.

How To Store Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno

In the fridge: Cover the baking dish with a lid or transfer the pasta to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.

In the freezer: Put the ziti in a freezer-safe bag or container and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. 

Reheating: Transfer the creamy ziti to a skillet set over medium heat and let everything simmer for a few minutes, stirring frequently until it reaches your desired temperature. You can also microwave individual portions in 20-second increments until hot.

FAQS About This Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno Recipe

What is five cheese ziti al forno at Olive  Garden?

Olive Garden's five cheese ziti al forno is a combination of five Italian cheeses baked into ziti pasta with a creamy marinara sauce. It's similar to a baked ziti but with more cheese and a combination of marinara sauce and alfredo sauce.

Does Olive Garden five cheese ziti have meat?

The Olive Garden 5 cheese ziti doesn't have meat. If you want to add meat to this recipe, you can mix some cooked ground beef in with the sauce for a little added protein.  

How many calories are in 5 cheese baked ziti from Olive Garden?

According to Olive Garden's website, there are 1,170 calories in the five cheese ziti al forno.

More Copycat Olive Garden Recipes

• Olive Garden crockpot chicken pasta
• Olive Garden shrimp scampi
• Olive Garden shrimp alfredo
• Olive Garden cheese ravioli
• Olive Garden giant cheese stuffed shells