Description
Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno is a comforting Italian-American baked pasta dish loaded with a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, fontina, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses, combined with rich marinara and creamy Alfredo sauces. This hearty casserole is topped with crispy Italian-style breadcrumbs and baked until golden and bubbly, perfect for a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastas and Sauces
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup Alfredo sauce
Cheeses
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded fontina cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Romano cheese
Herbs and Spices
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Cook Pasta: Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
- Mix Cheeses and Sauces: In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, fontina, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses. Stir in marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, chopped fresh basil, garlic powder, dried oregano, and optional red pepper flakes. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese Mixture: Add the cooked ziti to the cheese and sauce mixture. Gently fold everything together until the pasta is thoroughly coated with the cheese blend.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and transfer the pasta-cheese mixture evenly into it.
- Prepare Breadcrumb Topping: In a small bowl, mix Italian-style breadcrumbs with olive oil until the crumbs are well coated. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the pasta.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the baked ziti cool slightly before serving to allow it to set and enhance flavors.
Notes
- For extra protein and flavor, add cooked Italian sausage or grilled chicken to the cheese mixture before baking.
- You can substitute provolone or asiago cheese for any of the listed cheeses if desired or based on availability.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta initially, as it will continue to cook during baking.
- Use fresh breadcrumbs or Italian-style seasoned breadcrumbs for best texture and flavor.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; adjust baking time slightly if baking cold.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
