Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno (Copycat)

THIS OLIVE GARDEN FIVE CHEESE ZITI AL FORNO COPYCAT RECIPE IS MADE WITH MARINARA< HEAVY CREAM (NO CANNED ALFREDO), A BLEND OF ITALIAN CHEESES, AND A BREADCRUMB CRUST THAT GETS BACK BEFORE SERVING. SUPER EASY OLIVE GARDEN DINNER RIGHT AT HOME!

PREP TIME: 15 minutes

COOK TIME: 15 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes

SERVINGS: 10 servings

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb Ziti, prepared

2 tablespoons Olive Oil

2 cups Marinara Sauce

1 cup Heavy Cream

15 oz can Diced Tomatoes (or 2 Diced Tomatoes)

1 teaspoon Sugar

3/4 cup Parmesan Cheese Blend (grated Parmesan, Romano, Asiago)

1/2 cup Fontina Cheese (can use grated Monterey Jack)

1 1/2 cups Mozzarella Cheese (grated)

1/2 cup Bread Crumbs

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cook pasta according to box instructions; drain, rinse with cold water and coat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

2. In a medium saucepan combine the marinara sauce, heavy cream, tomatoes and sugar. Bring to a simmer and add 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese blend, 1/2 cup Fontina cheese, 1/2 cup of Mozzarella cheese. Stir until bubbly and remove from heat.

3. Place the pasta into a oven-safe serving dish and ladle sauce over the top. Sprinkle with 1 cup of Mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese blend. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top and broil just until the cheese browns. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving,

NOTES:

-Cheeses - all Parmesan cheese can be used for the three-cheese blend of Asiago, Romano, and Parmesan. Italian cheese blends have all 5 kinds of cheese so you can use that too. And Fontina cheese can be replaced with white Monterey Jack cheese.

-To make-ahead of freeze: cook noodles under 2 minutes, then rinse them with cold water and toss the Ziti with 2 tablespoons of oil. Transfer to a baking dish and prepare the sauce. Slightly cool before pouring over the top. Do not stir. Cool completely before covering and storing. Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or freezer for up to 3 months.