Olive Garden 5 Cheese Ziti is loaded with cheese and layered with Marinara and Alfredo Sauce. This gooey cheesy copycat dish is simple to prepare but so hearty and delicious.
Olive Garden 5 Cheese Ziti
If you love Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al forno, this copycat recipe is a must try. We make it easy to enjoy your favorites at home any day of the week. Not only is this recipe amazing but it costs a fraction of the price to make it at home. If you love copycat recipes, also try Olive Garden Fried Lasagna Recipe or this Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Recipe.
There is so much cheese and it really takes this dish up a level. The various cheese blends make this so cheesy and gooey. Another family favorite is this Baked Ziti with Chicken and Baked Ziti.
What is Olive Gardens 5 cheese ziti?
Each bite is a tasty blend of pasta, numerous cheeses and lots of sauce. The blend of Marinara and Alfredo give this dish a unique flavor. Everything combines for a fabulous pasta dish.
This recipe is definitely a crowd pleaser. Let’s prepare the ziti. Your friends and family will enjoy this pasta dish.
Why we love this copycat recipe:
- Easy to make.
- Budget friendly alternative to dining at Olive Garden.
- It tastes delicious with so many blends of cheese combined with the pasta and sauce.
Ingredients:
For the Pasta and Sauce:
- Ziti Pasta
- Marinara Sauce
- Alfredo Sauce
- Ricotta Cheese
- Fontina Cheese, shredded
- Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
Topping:
- Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- Romano Cheese, grated
- Parmesan Cheese, grated
- Minced Garlic
- Panko Breadcrumbs
How to make Olive Garden 5 Cheese ziti:
- Step 1 – Warm up the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 3 quart baking dish or 9X13 baking pan with a non-stick cooking spray.
- Step 2 – Cook the pasta. Boil the ziti based on the package instructions to al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 3 – Combine the pasta ingredients. In a large mix bowl, stir together the remaining pasta ingredients (marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella fontina).
Step 4 – Add Ziti – Then gently fold the cooked ziti into this sauce mixture.
Step 5 – Pour – Then gently pour this mixture into the prepared baking pan. In a separate bowl, stir together the topping ingredients. Evenly sprinkle the topping mixture on top of the pasta in the pan.
Step 6 – Place in the preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown, the cheeses are melted and the sauce is bubbly.
- Step 7 – Serve warm and enjoy! Olive Garden Ziti is delicious.
What to serve with 5 cheese ziti al forno:
- Salad. Make your favorite salad or try this Copycat Olive Garden Salad Recipe. We love it with Olive Garden Salad dressing.
- Breadsticks. You definitely need something to dip into the delicious sauce. Try making Copycat Olive Garden breadsticks.
Tips for 5 cheese ziti olive garden:
- Cheese. If you cannot find fontina cheese in your area, you can use Monterey Jack Cheese instead.
- Topping. You can use a blend of Parmesan Romano if you prefer instead of the individual cheeses.
- Pasta. Make sure that the noodles are not cooked all the way through as they will cook further in the oven. This will ensure they do not get mushy once baked with the other ingredients.
- Pasta Water. Salt your pasta water and it will make a huge difference in the flavor of the dish.
Make in advance:
Sometimes if I have a busy week planned, I like to go ahead and make this ahead of time. Then when we are running around from numerous activities, I don’t have to worry about dinner or being tempted to get take out.
Just go ahead and assemble the dish as normal. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
When ready to bake, allow to come to room temperature. Then bake as normal or until the ziti is heated through. This is extremely helpful to utilize during busy seasons.
How to store leftovers:
Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through. You may need to add a little bit of water to prevent it from drying out.
You can also freeze this recipe. Cover with plastic wrap and foil prior to baking.
Freeze up to 3 months. Then just thaw in the fridge overnight when ready to bake.
Sometimes, we double the recipe to have one for the freezer. It is beneficial when we are tempted to get takeout.
Variations:
- Meat. While the traditional recipe is meat free, you can easily add your favorite protein. Try adding ground beef, ground turkey, shrimp or chicken to the dish.
You can easily add a pound of browned ground beef when combining the pasta and sauce. You can really add any meat you prefer. - Pasta. Substitute penne, bow tie or anything you have in your pantry.
Gluten free:
If you need to make a gluten free pasta dish, substitute gluten free pasta in this recipe. You will also need to use gluten free breadcrumbs as well.
You can use store bought or make your own using gluten free bread. It is pretty easy to make this gluten free.
Another suggestion is to check the ingredients in the Alfredo sauce to ensure it is suitable for a gluten free diet. I always like to check to make sure.
This recipe is delicious.
We enjoy preparing this at home for an easy weeknight dinner. Our family gets to enjoy all the delicious flavors of Olive Garden without leaving our house.
It is one of our favorite comfort food dishes without much work at all. Not to mention we are saving money cooking this at home.
Give it a try for a crowd pleasing meal. It is so delicious that you might enjoy this copycat version better. We sure love it and keep it on the regular menu plan rotation.
Print this Olive Garden 5 Cheese ziti recipe:
Olive Garden 5 Cheese Ziti
Ingredients
For the Pasta and Sauce:
- 16 oz Ziti Pasta
- 1 jar Marinara Sauce 24 oz jar
- 1 jar Alfredo Sauce 15 oz jar
- ½ cup Ricotta Cheese
- ½ cup Fontina Cheese shredded
- ½ cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded
For the Topping:
- 1 ½ cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- ¼ cup Romano Cheese grated
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 2 tsp Minced Garlic
- ½ cup Panko Breadcrumbs
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 3 quart baking dish or 9X13 baking pan with a non-stick cooking spray.
- Boil 16 oz ziti pasta based on the package instructions to al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce, 1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo sauce, ½ cup ricotta cheese, ½ cup shredded fontina cheese, and ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Gently fold the cooked ziti into this sauce mixture. Pour this mixture into the prepared baking pan.
- In a separate bowl, stir together 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup grated Romano cheese, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tsp minced garlic, and ½ cup panko breadcrumbs.
- Evenly sprinkle the topping mixture on top of the pasta in the pan.
- Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
This looks like a great comfort food for fall! I am going to try it soon!
It’s such a cozy meal for fall, Lisa! I hope you enjoy it when you make it.
*starts adding the ingredients to her shopping list*
This one looks like a winner.
Thank you! I hope you give it a try and enjoy it!
Lobe the ziti and mixture of cheeses that make it so enjoyable
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Audrey! The combination of cheeses makes this dish so creamy and delicious!
We added ground beef to this and it was delicious! I will definitely add it to the line up this fall!
Adding ground beef sounds delicious, Christine! That is a great way to make it even heartier for fall. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I am looking forward to making this i would love a chicken gnocchi soup recipe Thank you!
Marquetta – I’m excited you plan to try it! We actually have an Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe. I will link it for you below. Hope you enjoy! https://www.eatingonadime.com/crock-pot-olive-garden-chicken-gnocchi-soup/
That looks great for dinner tonight.
James – Thank you so much! Let me know how it turns out.
Quick and easy and everyone loves it
Phyllis – Wahoo! That’s great!
This looks great and I love the addition of the topping. adding this to my list of things to try. Thanks for sharing
Jodie – You’re so welcome! I’m glad you plan to try it!
Looks yummy. I love OGs dish so I will be trying this one.
Okay, anything with this much cheese is definitely getting made!! OMGosh this looks so good! Thank you for this one!
Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it q
I’m excited to make this recipe. Thanks!
Jennifer – You’re welcome. Let me know how it turns out.
Love this meal.
Lori – Thank you! Have a great day.
This is so good.
Bev – Thank you so much!
One of my favorite recipes! I can’t wait to try this.
Dawn – Let me know how it turns out! Have a great day!
This paired with fresh Parmesan grated would be heaven.
Darian – Yum! Love that combo!
Toddler approved and easy to make! ?
Tabitha – Thank you so much! So glad your toddler loves it!
Toddler approved! ? & looks easy to make.
So happy to hear this! Thanks for sharing.
Love me some cheese, this sounds like a perfect comfort food on a chilly night!!
Love pasta and love cheese of all kinds !
Then this recipe is perfect for you! It has plenty of pasta and cheesy goodness.
You’re going to love this one! The combination of pasta and five different cheeses is so delicious.
I love pasta and love all kinds of cheese.
Love this meal.
Lori – Thanks so much. Have a great day!
Definitely giving this recipe a try!
I absolutely love Olive Gardens 5 cheese ziti! I order it every time! Making this for dinner tonight!
I hope you love this homemade version just as much! Let me know how it turns out.
I absolutely love Olive Gardens 5 cheese ziti! I order it every time! Making this for dinner tonight
This is one of my favorites at Olive Garden too! I hope you enjoy making it at home.
Looks delicious can’t wait to make as I love cheesy recipes!
Although I have not tried this recipe and I think it would be delicious and maybe put some chicken in it
Another one that looks yummy, I will try this one!
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to taste it. Thanks!
Thank you! I hope you love it as much as we do.
The first time I tasted ziti was at a picnic. My friend made it.
What a fun dish to serve at a picnic! I hope this recipe brings back good memories.
Adding this to our cold weather pasta dish rotation!
That sounds perfect! This cheesy pasta is such a comforting meal for cold weather.
These look wonderful. I can’t wait to try them all.
Thank you, Rhonda! I hope you enjoy every one you try.
I love these recipes and I love that you inform us that if we can’t find certain items we can substitute with something else. Thank you for sharing!!
Thank you so much! I’m glad you find the substitution ideas helpful.
This sounds so delicious and simple to make. I can’t wait to try it! May try freezing the leftovers for busy days too.
I hope you enjoy it! You can freeze the leftovers, but the pasta may be slightly softer after reheating. Store it in a freezer-safe container and thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Can you make ahead and freeze?
Trista – Yes, you can also freeze this recipe. Cover with plastic wrap and foil and freeze up to 3 months. Then just thaw in the fridge overnight when ready to bake.
Could I add ground mild Italian sausage to this recipe?
Laura – You sure can or even a mixture of both. It’s such a versatile recipe.
Loved the ziti
We love this recipe too.
I love these recipes and I love that you inform us that if we can’t find certain items we can substitute with something else. Thank you for sharing!!
You’re welcome, Jill! I always love sharing simple substitutions so you can make the recipe work with what you have.