Olive Garden is known for its delicious Italian dishes, but one that stands out among diners is the Five Cheese Ziti al Forno. This dish is a combination of pasta and a variety of cheeses including mozzarella, provolone, Asiago, ricotta, and Olive Garden’s signature five-cheese marinara sauce. The best part about this dish is when the server brings it out hot and lets you know you can have as much cheese as you want. Just say “when” and watch as the cheese is generously sprinkled on top.
For those who love Olive Garden but want to enjoy their favorite dishes at home, there are plenty of copycat recipes available. From Alfredo sauce to bottomless salad, Zuppa Toscana to breadsticks, and even chicken and shrimp carbonara, home cooks have found ways to recreate these dishes in their own kitchens. The Five Cheese Ziti al Forno copycat recipe is one of these tried and tested recipes that have been approved by many.
But what does “al Forno” mean exactly? In Italian, “forno” translates to oven, so when a dish is described as “al forno,” it means it is baked in the oven. While this term can be applied to any dish baked in the oven, it is frequently associated with pasta dishes, likely because of Olive Garden’s popular Five Cheese Ziti al Forno.
To make this delicious dish at home, gather ingredients like ziti pasta, shredded Italian cheese blend, marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, ricotta cheese, Italian-seasoned panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, butter, and garlic. The shredded Italian blend typically includes mozzarella, provolone, and Asiago, making for a flavorful combination of cheeses in the dish.
Putting together the Five Cheese Ziti al Forno is a simple process. Cook the ziti pasta, mix in the sauces and cheeses, pour into a casserole dish, top with more cheese, sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture, and bake until golden and bubbly. The hardest part of making this dish is waiting for it to cool slightly before diving in.
When serving this hearty and filling dish, you can pair it with a simple side like garlic bread, warm Italian bread, or a leafy green salad. For a full Olive Garden experience, consider serving it with a copycat Olive Garden salad and breadsticks. No matter what you choose, this meal will transport you to your favorite Italian restaurant without the cost of dining out. Plus, your house will smell amazing as the dish bakes in the oven. Enjoy!
