Description
Rich layers of ziti al forno reveal Olive Garden’s classic Italian-American casserole with five melted cheeses. Creamy pasta combines with marinara sauce and tender baked textures that invite home cooks to savor each comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ziti pasta
- 2 cups (480 ml) marinara sauce
- 2 cups (480 ml) alfredo sauce
- 1 cup (240 ml) ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (240 ml) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) fontina cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) Romano cheese, grated
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) butter, melted
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing a spacious 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
- Cook ziti pasta in boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Create a robust sauce blend by whisking marinara, Alfredo, ricotta, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until smooth and well-integrated.
- Gently fold the cooked ziti into the sauce mixture, ensuring each pasta piece is completely coated with the creamy blend.
- Transfer half of the sauced pasta into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom to create a uniform layer.
- Generously distribute half of the cheese medley – mozzarella, Parmesan, fontina, and Romano – across the initial pasta layer.
- Layer the remaining pasta mixture over the first cheese layer, creating a complete coverage.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese blend over the top, creating a luxurious and dense cheese surface.
- Combine breadcrumbs with melted butter, then delicately scatter the mixture across the cheese-topped casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top transforms into a golden, bubbling crust with crisp edges.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5-7 minutes, permitting the dish to set before serving.
Notes
- Choose high-quality ziti pasta with ridges to help sauce cling better, ensuring maximum flavor in every bite.
- Whisk marinara and Alfredo sauces thoroughly to create a silky, well-blended base that coats the pasta evenly.
- Grate fresh cheeses instead of using pre-shredded varieties for richer, more authentic melting and deeper flavor profiles.
- Toast breadcrumbs in a dry skillet before mixing with butter to enhance their golden-brown crunchiness and nutty undertones.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 523 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg