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Five Cheese Ziti

Creamy, cheesy, cozy, and topped with the BEST crispy garlic breadcrumb topping, this Five Cheese Ziti is pure comfort food. Inspired by the Olive Garden favorite, this baked pasta combines tomato sauce, alfredo, ricotta, mozzarella, and fontina for the ultimate rich and creamy dinner that’s perfect for birthdays, family dinners, or anytime you need a giant pan of pasta therapy. Easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and somehow even better the next day.
Print Recipe
Five Cheese Ziti
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:50 minutes

Ingredients

For the Topping

  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 3 tablespoons grated Romano cheese
  • 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh garlic chopped
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

For the Sauce

  • 4 cups tomato sauce
  • 2 cups alfredo sauce
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 3 tablespoons shredded fontina cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic pepper seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 pound dry ziti pasta

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, or the baking dish, stir together the tomato sauce, alfredo sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, fontina, garlic pepper seasoning, and garlic powder until creamy and combined. Set aside while you prep everything else.
  • In another bowl, mix together the mozzarella, breadcrumbs, Romano, and parmesan. Add the garlic, vegetable oil, and parsley, then toss everything together until the topping is evenly coated.
  • Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
  • Cook the ziti according to the package directions until al dente (I usually do a full minute or two undercooked.) Drain well.
  • Add the hot cooked pasta to the sauce and stir until every piece of pasta is coated.
  • Finish with the breadcrumb and cheese topping, spreading it all the way to the edges so you get that golden crispy top in every bite.
  • Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
  • Let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Preferably while standing over the stove sneaking bites straight from the corner of the pan.

Notes

  • Freshly shredding your cheese will give you the best melt and texture.
  • Don’t overcook the pasta before baking — it’ll continue cooking in the oven.
  • If the top starts browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil for the remaining bake time or turn the oven down to 350.
Servings: 6