Olive Garden Baked Ziti al Forno Copycat

Ingredients

For the Pasta and Sauce:

1 pound (16 ounces) ziti or rigatoni pasta

4 cups prepared marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)

2 cups creamy Alfredo sauce

½ cup ricotta cheese (for creaminess and richness)

½ cup shredded Fontina cheese (melts beautifully and adds depth)

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (blend of oregano, basil, thyme, etc.)

Optional: ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (for a touch of heat)

For the Topping:

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (melts into a golden, bubbly layer)

½ cup panko breadcrumbs (adds crunch to the top)

¼ cup finely grated Romano cheese (sharp and tangy)

¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (adds nutty richness)

2 garlic cloves, minced (for bold, aromatic flavor)

Chopped fresh parsley and extra grated Parmesan, for garnish

Preheat the Oven:

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Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat while you prepare the ingredients.

Cook the Pasta:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Cook the ziti or rigatoni until just shy of al dente—about 2 minutes less than the package instructions.

Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

Make the Sauce Mixture:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, ricotta, shredded Fontina, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using).

Mix until smooth and well incorporated.

Assemble the Dish:

Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until evenly coated.

Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Prepare the Topping:

In a separate bowl, mix the shredded mozzarella, panko breadcrumbs, grated Romano, Parmesan, and minced garlic.

Sprinkle this topping evenly over the pasta.

Bake to Perfection:

Place the baking dish in the oven and bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.

Finish and Serve:

Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.

Serve warm and enjoy the comfort!