Savory Five-Cheese Baked Ziti Delight
Indulge in this rich and comforting Savory Five-Cheese Baked Ziti Delight, inspired by the beloved Olive Garden classic. Combining layers of perfectly cooked ziti pasta with a luscious blend of tomato and Alfredo sauces, this dish is further elevated with ricotta, mozzarella, Fontina, Romano, and Parmesan cheeses. Topped with a delightful mixture of breadcrumbs and fresh herbs, every bite delivers a heavenly cheese pull and an explosion of flavors. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy night in, this dish serves 6-8 and is sure to impress your guests while providing ample leftovers for later enjoyment.
N/A
Servings
470
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Tomato sauce
4 cups (none)
Alfredo sauce
2 cups (none)
Ricotta cheese
1/2 cup (none)
Mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup (shredded)
Fontina cheese
3 tablespoons (shredded)
Garlic pepper seasoning
1 teaspoon (none)
Garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Mozzarella cheese
3 cups (shredded)
Italian breadcrumbs
1/2 cup (none)
Romano cheese
3 tablespoons (grated)
Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons (grated)
Fresh garlic
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Vegetable oil
3 tablespoons (none)
Fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley
3 tablespoons (chopped)
Dry ziti pasta
1 lb (none)
Mozzarella cheese
1 cup (shredded)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Ziti Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the tomato sauce, Alfredo sauce, ricotta cheese, garlic pepper seasoning, garlic powder, and the initial portion of mozzarella cheese (1/4 cup). Mix well and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2
Prepare the Ziti Topping: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the remaining mozzarella cheese (3 cups), Italian breadcrumbs, Fontina cheese, Romano cheese, Parmesan cheese, chopped garlic, vegetable oil, and chopped parsley. Cover and refrigerate.
3
Preheating: When ready to prepare the entire dish, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
4
Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dry ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
5
Layer the Dish: Pour 1/2 cup of the prepared ziti sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Combine the drained hot pasta with the remaining ziti sauce in a large bowl, ensuring that every piece of pasta is coated.
6
Assemble the Baked Ziti: Pour the ziti and sauce mixture into the baking dish on top of the sauce layer. Evenly spread 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the top. Follow with the prepared Ziti Topping mix, ensuring an even layer across the pasta.
7
Bake: Place the baking dish on the center rack of the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 30 to 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and cheese is bubbling.
8
Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your savory, cheesy masterpiece immediately!
Nutrition Information
16
Fat
56
Carbs
19
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Five-Cheese Baked Ziti Delight?
It is a rich and comforting baked pasta dish featuring ziti, a blend of tomato and Alfredo sauces, and five types of cheese: ricotta, mozzarella, fontina, romano, and parmesan.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe serves between 6 to 8 people.
What five cheeses are used in this recipe?
The five cheeses included are ricotta, mozzarella, fontina, romano, and parmesan.
What is the calorie count for one serving of this dish?
There are approximately 470 calories per serving.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving contains 19 grams of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 16 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a single serving?
There are 56 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
How long does the ziti need to bake?
The dish should be baked for approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
Is this recipe inspired by a specific restaurant?
Yes, it is inspired by the beloved Olive Garden classic baked ziti.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A 13-by-9-inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
How much tomato sauce is required?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of tomato sauce.
How much Alfredo sauce is used?
You will need 2 cups of Alfredo sauce.
What goes into the ziti sauce mixture?
The sauce mixture includes tomato sauce, Alfredo sauce, ricotta cheese, garlic pepper seasoning, garlic powder, and a portion of shredded mozzarella.
What ingredients are in the ziti topping?
The topping consists of mozzarella, Italian breadcrumbs, fontina, romano, parmesan, chopped garlic, vegetable oil, and chopped parsley.
How should the pasta be cooked before baking?
The ziti pasta should be boiled in salted water until it reaches an al dente texture.
How much ricotta cheese is needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese.
How much fontina cheese should be added?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of shredded fontina cheese.
How much romano cheese is in the topping?
There are 3 tablespoons of grated romano cheese in the topping mix.
How much parmesan cheese is used?
The topping includes 3 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese.
Is fresh garlic used in this recipe?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh garlic is used in the topping.
How much garlic powder is used for the sauce?
The sauce requires 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
What kind of oil is used in the topping?
Three tablespoons of vegetable oil are used to help create the topping mixture.
What type of parsley is recommended?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley.
How much dry ziti pasta is needed?
You will need a 1 lb package of dry ziti pasta.
What kind of breadcrumbs are used?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of Italian breadcrumbs.
How do I prevent the pasta from sticking to the pan?
You should spray the 13-by-9-inch baking dish with non-stick spray before layering the ingredients.
How can I tell when the baked ziti is done?
It is done when the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
Can I make the sauces in advance?
Yes, the instructions suggest preparing the sauce and topping mixtures ahead of time and refrigerating them until ready to use.
Does this recipe provide leftovers?
Yes, this dish is designed to be substantial enough to provide ample leftovers for later enjoyment.