Description
Discover the ultimate comfort food with Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno, a baked pasta dish that blends ziti, rich marinara, and a luxurious mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, provolone, and fontina. A buttery breadcrumb topping adds crunch, while the creamy cheese sauce creates a velvety interior. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this recipe delivers bold Italian flavor, satisfying texture, and effortless preparation in under an hour. Serve hot from the oven for extra cheesy delight.!
Ingredients
-
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- shredded
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- grated
- 1 cup provolone cheese
- shredded
- 1 cup fontina cheese
- shredded
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
-
- Preheat the Oven
Set oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the Ziti
Boil pasta until al dente, then drain.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce
Mix marinara, heavy cream, ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, provolone, and fontina.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce
Fold pasta into sauce until coated.
- Transfer to Baking Dish
Grease dish, spread pasta evenly.
- Make Breadcrumb Topping
Melt butter, stir in breadcrumbs, sprinkle over pasta.
- Bake
Bake 25‑30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Rest and Serve
Cool 5 minutes, garnish with basil, serve.
Notes
- For a spicier version
- add red pepper flakes to the marinara. Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave. Freeze unbaked for up to two months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno, baked ziti recipe, easy pasta bake, cheese pasta casserole, Italian baked pasta, family dinner recipes, creamy pasta bake, how to make ziti al forno, best cheese pasta, oven baked pasta, quick Italian dinner