Olive Garden Baked Ziti al Forno Copycat
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
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
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!