Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti (Printable Version)
Tender pasta coated in creamy tomato sauce with five melted cheeses and a crisp breadcrumb topping.
# Ingredients:
→ Pasta
01 -
340 grams ziti pasta
→ Sauces and Liquids
02 -
480 milliliters marinara sauce
03 -
120 milliliters heavy cream
04 -
400 grams diced tomatoes, drained
→ Cheese Blend
05 -
120 grams Parmesan, Romano, Asiago blend, grated
06 -
120 grams fontina cheese, shredded
07 -
120 grams mozzarella cheese, shredded
→ Toppings
08 -
60 grams plain or Italian-style breadcrumbs
→ Seasonings
09 -
5 grams granulated sugar
→ Others
10 -
15 milliliters olive oil
# Steps:
01 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook for approximately 7 minutes until just shy of al dente. Drain immediately and rinse under cold water. Toss with olive oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
02 -
In a medium saucepan, combine marinara sauce, heavy cream, diced tomatoes, and sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until simmering. Stir in half of each cheese: Parmesan blend, fontina, and mozzarella until melted and the mixture is bubbly. Remove from heat.
03 -
Transfer the drained pasta into a large ovenproof dish and spread evenly. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta, ensuring all noodles are coated.
04 -
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan blend evenly over the sauced pasta. Scatter breadcrumbs on top for a crisp crust.
05 -
Place under the broiler for 3 to 4 minutes, watching closely until the cheese melts and the topping turns golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving.
# Notes:
01 -
For best results, rinse the pasta to prevent overcooking during baking. Use freshly shredded cheese to enhance melt and flavor. Monitor the broiler closely to avoid burning the topping.