Easy Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno Recipe
If you love ordering the Five Cheese Ziti al Forno at Olive Garden, you’re going to love how easy it is to make at home.
This copycat recipe has everything that makes the restaurant version so irresistible—perfectly cooked ziti, creamy Alfredo, rich marinara, creamy Alfredo, rich marinara, five delicious cheeses, and a crispy golden topping baked until bubbly.
This is one of those comforting pasta dinners my family never gets tired of.
It comes together with simple ingredients, is ready in about 45 minutes, and always disappears fast.
Whether you’re making dinner for a busy weeknight, feeding guests, or simply craving a cozy Italian-inspired meal, this recipe is always a great choice.
Serve it with garlic bread and a fresh salad for a restaurant-worthy dinner everyone will be asking you to make again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This homemade Five Cheese Ziti al Forno checks all the boxes for an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner.
- Just like Olive Garden – All the creamy, cheesy flavors you love, made right in your own kitchen.
- Loaded with cheese – Five delicious cheeses make every bite rich, gooey, and satisfying.
- Ready in 45 minutes – An easy dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
- Simple ingredients – Everything is easy to find at your local grocery store.
- Perfect for feeding a crowd – Great for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep.
- Golden, crispy topping – A crispy panko and cheese topping adds the perfect finishing touch.
For the Pasta
- Ziti Pasta – Ziti is the classic pasta for this recipe because its tube shape holds onto every bit of the rich, creamy sauce. Cook it just until al dente so it stays perfectly tender after baking. Penne or rigatoni also work well if you don’t have ziti.
- Marinara Sauce – A flavorful marinara adds rich tomato flavor and balances the creamy Alfredo sauce. Use your favorite store-bought brand or homemade marinara for the best results.
- Alfredo Sauce – Alfredo sauce gives this baked ziti its signature creamy, restaurant-style richness. A good-quality jarred Alfredo sauce works perfectly and keeps the recipe quick and easy.
- Ricotta Cheese – Ricotta adds a smooth, creamy texture and helps create the rich, cheesy filling. It melts into the sauce for an extra layer of comfort and flavor.
- Fontina Cheese – Fontina melts beautifully and adds a mild, buttery flavor that makes the sauce extra creamy and indulgent.
For the Topping
- Mozzarella Cheese – Shredded mozzarella creates that irresistible blanket of gooey, melted cheese with the perfect cheese pull.
- Panko Breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs add the light, crispy topping that contrasts perfectly with the creamy pasta underneath.
- Romano Cheese – Grated Romano brings a sharp, salty bite that enhances the overall cheesy flavor and helps create a beautifully browned topping.
- Parmesan Cheese – Parmesan adds a savory, nutty finish and pairs perfectly with the Romano for a rich, flavorful crust. Freshly grated Parmesan offers the best flavor.
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic infuses the topping with delicious aroma and classic Italian flavor as it bakes until golden.
.
How to Make Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti 1 minute less than the package directions. Drain well and set aside.
Step 2: Mix the Pasta Filling
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, ricotta cheese, and shredded fontina cheese. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated and the cheeses are well distributed.
Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
Transfer the pasta mixture to a large oven-safe skillet or a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it into an even layer.
Step 4: Prepare the Topping
In a small bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella, panko breadcrumbs, grated Romano cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and minced garlic. Mix until everything is evenly combined.
Step 5: Top the Pasta
Sprinkle the cheese and breadcrumb mixture evenly over the pasta, covering the entire surface for a deliciously crisp, cheesy topping.
Step 6: Bake
Bake, uncovered, for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is hot and bubbling around the edges.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Scoop onto plates and enjoy while hot with garlic bread, breadsticks, or a fresh green salad.
Make Ahead + Freezing
To make in advance:
Assemble the casserole as directed, but don’t bake it. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to serve, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed since the casserole will be cold.
To freeze:
Prepare the recipe through assembly, then wrap the unbaked casserole tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking. If baking straight from the refrigerator, add 5–10 extra minutes to the baking time.
Easy Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno
Notes
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups Alfredo sauce
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup fontina cheese, shredded
Topping
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Romano cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook the pasta one minute shy of the directions on the box and drain.
- In a large metal bowl add the pasta, marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, ricotta cheese, and fontina cheese and mix well.
- Add to a large oven safe skillet or 9×13-inch pan.
- Mix the mozzarella, panko, Romano, parmesan, and garlic together and add the topping over the pasta.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, uncovered, until golden brown and bubbly.
1. Can I make this baked ziti ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the casserole up to a day in advance, then cover and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. You may need to add 5 to 10 extra minutes to the baking time if it’s going straight from the refrigerator to the oven.
2. Can I freeze Five Cheese Ziti al Forno?
Yes! This recipe freezes really well. I like to freeze it before baking so the pasta stays fresh and the cheese melts perfectly. Wrap the dish tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
3. What pasta can I use instead of ziti?
No ziti? No problem! Penne and rigatoni are both great substitutes because they’re sturdy enough to hold onto all of that creamy, cheesy sauce.
4. How do I keep the pasta from getting too soft?
The easiest way is to cook the pasta just until al dente. Since it finishes cooking in the oven, slightly undercooking it helps keep the noodles tender without becoming mushy.
5. Can I use jarred Alfredo sauce?
Definitely! A good-quality store-bought Alfredo sauce works wonderfully in this recipe and saves time. Combined with marinara and plenty of cheese, it creates the rich, creamy flavor that makes this copycat recipe taste so much like the Olive Garden favorite.
