Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti
This Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti is a rich, creamy, and indulgent baked pasta dish made with five different cheeses, marinara and Alfredo sauce, and topped with a golden, cheesy crust. Inspired by the famous restaurant dish, it’s perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or any occasion that calls for comfort food. This easy-to-follow recipe creates a deliciously cheesy, satisfying meal that can be made ahead of time and stored for leftovers.
Equipment
- 1 large pot for boiling pasta (5-quart capacity)
- 1 large saucepan for preparing the sauce (3-quart capacity)
- 1 9x13-inch baking dish
- 1 large spoon for mixing pasta and sauce
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
- For the Pasta:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
For the Five Cheese Marinara Sauce:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup Alfredo sauce
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Cheesy Topping:
- ½ cup Italian blend cheese mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, Romano
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- Boil the ziti pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Five Cheese Marinara Sauce
- In a large saucepan, combine the marinara and Alfredo sauces over medium heat. Stir in the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese until everything is melted and smooth. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors together.
Assemble the Ziti
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and mix well to coat each piece. Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
Add the Topping
- In a small bowl, combine the Italian blend cheese and breadcrumbs. Drizzle with olive oil and stir to combine. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the pasta in the baking dish.
Bake
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
Let It Rest & Serve
- Allow the baked ziti to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired. Serve with garlic bread and a side salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the dish ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just be sure to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if it’s coming straight from the fridge.
- Freezing Instructions: Freeze the unbaked dish for up to 3 months. To bake from frozen, preheat the oven to 375°F and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.
- Customizations: Add extra protein by stirring in cooked sausage, chicken, or meatballs. For a vegetarian version, toss in some sautéed spinach or mushrooms.
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave for a quick and easy meal.