Olive Backyard 5 Cheese Ziti al Forno Simple Copycat Recipe

June 26, 2025

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Olive Backyard’s 5 Cheese Ziti al Forno represents the head of consolation meals perfection, combining one of the best Italian-American delicacies in a single spectacular dish. The key lies within the luxurious rosa sauce, a harmonious mix of tangy marinara and wealthy Alfredo that creates the proper backdrop for 5 Italian cheeses. Topped with golden, garlicky breadcrumbs and baked to bubbly perfection, this dish transforms easy components into restaurant-quality magic.

Copycat Olive Garden five cheese ziti al forno on two plates.

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Why this recipe works

Baked pasta dishes might be hit and miss. Some are dry, others bland, however most aren’t definitely worth the effort. That’s not the case with the 5 Cheese Ziti al Forno Olive Backyard serves.

This dish delivers incredible flavors in each chew because of its fabulous rosa sauce, the proper mix of tangy marinara and wealthy Alfredo sauces. The sauce turns into one thing particular with including a mixture of your favourite Italian cheeses.

High the Olive Backyard 5 Cheese Ziti al Forno with garlicky breadcrumbs for a straightforward and scrumptious weeknight dinner.

5 Cheese Ziti al Forno Substances and What They Contribute to this Recipe

For the primary pasta dish, you’ll want:

Dry Ziti Pasta or small tube pasta – the bottom of the dish. The tube form permits the pasta to catch extra of the sauce.
Marinara sauce, jarred or recent, offers the acidity that helps to steadiness the richness of the Alfredo sauce and cheeses.
Alfredo sauce, jarred or recent – provides a creaminess to the dish and tames the acidity of the marinara sauce.
Italian mix of cheese, shredded – contributes taste and creaminess to the sauce.
Full-fat ricotta cheese – helps to thicken the sauce and provides it an expensive mouthfeel.

For the Italian cheese mix, you may grate your personal or purchase a pre-grated mix. Select the cheeses you wish to embrace, however mozzarella, Provolone, Asiago, and Parmesan are good selections.

For the panko topping, you’ll want:

Unsalted butter – helps the breadcrumbs brown evenly
Parmesan cheese, grated – provides a pointy, nutty taste to the breadcrumbs.
Panko bread crumbs – provide an exquisite crunch when frivolously toasted.
Granulated garlic – enhances the style of the breadcrumb topping however received’t burn like recent garlic.

For the garnish, you’ll want:

Contemporary parsley – provides a pop of shade and freshness to the dish.

Copycat Olive Garden five cheese ziti al forno ingredients on a tray.

How you can make Olive Backyard 5 Cheese Ziti al Forno

To organize Ziti al Forno with 5 Cheeses:

Put together the ziti in accordance in a big pot to the directions on the bundle.
Whereas the pasta is cooking, preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a big, oven-safe pot, like a Dutch oven or casserole dish, mix the Alfredo sauce, half of the Italian blended cheese, and all of the full-fat ricotta cheese.
Warmth the sauce over medium warmth whereas stirring infrequently till the sauce begins to simmer.
Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the sauce. Stir to mix.
Switch the pasta and sauce to a baking dish.
Sprinkle the remaining mix of Italian cheese excessive of the pasta.
Soften the unsalted butter and place it in a small bowl. Add the remainder of the Panko topping components and blend effectively.
Unfold the flavored breadcrumbs on high of the pasta.
Place the baking dish within the oven and cook dinner till the topping browns properly, 30 to 40 minutes.
Let the Olive Backyard 5 Cheese Ziti al Forno relaxation on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
Whereas ready, chop the parsley and garnish the highest of the baked ziti with it.
Serve heat.

Making copycat Olive Garden five cheese ziti al forno.

What to serve with Ziti al Forno

You may serve Ziti al Forno independently, however together with an appetizer and a facet or two will full the meal. Listed here are three choices you might wish to make.

Garlic bread. There may be nothing extra conventional than pairing the 5 Cheese Ziti al Forno Olive Backyard serves with crusty garlic bread. This traditional model garlic bread from Brennan’s is fundamental however tasty. The toasted slices of French bread are slathered with loads of butter, recent garlic, herbs, and a sprinkling of cheese. It’s good for sopping up any leftover rosa sauce.

Fried Asparagus. Don’t fear if somebody in your loved ones isn’t a fan of asparagus; this fried asparagus recipe from Longhorn Steakhouse is engaging sufficient for anybody to attempt. The asparagus is dredged in buttermilk and flour earlier than being deep-fried and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese whereas nonetheless scorching to create a tasty crisp and tacky crust.

Eggplant Parmesan. Whether or not you serve baked ziti with a facet of eggplant parm or Eggplant Parmesan with baked ziti, the 2 dishes go collectively splendidly. The earthy, barely bitter taste of the eggplant contrasts properly with the richness of the Ziti al Forno.

Copycat Olive Garden five cheese ziti al forno on two plates and two forks on a cloth napkin.

Olive Backyard 5 Cheese Ziti al Forno Simple Copycat Recipe

Storage & Reheating Directions

Fridge Storage: Retailer coated in an hermetic container for 3 days. Cool utterly earlier than refrigerating to forestall condensation.
Reheating Methodology: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cowl with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes till heated by way of. Take away the foil for the final 5 minutes to re-crisp the topping.
Freezing: Assemble with out baking, wrap tightly, and freeze for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day and bake as directed, including 10-Quarter-hour to cooking time.