Hi friend! If you’re someone who loves cheese as much as I do, you’re going to fall in love with this five cheese ziti al forno. I call it my “happy food.” It’s warm, full of flavor, and every bite feels like comfort on a plate.
I started making this dish after trying it at Olive Garden—and I wanted that same cheesy, baked pasta at home. The best part? It’s not hard at all. You cook the pasta, mix in the cheese and sauce, and bake it. That’s it. And trust me, it smells so good while it’s baking, you’ll have people running to the kitchen.
Easy Ingredient Swaps You Can Try
This recipe is flexible! You don’t need every single cheese or even the same type of pasta. Here are a few swaps I’ve tried that still turn out great:
- No ziti? Use penne or rigatoni. Any short pasta that holds sauce will work.
- Out of ricotta? Try cottage cheese—it’s lighter but still creamy.
- Missing one of the five cheeses? Use more of the ones you do have. Mozzarella, cheddar, or even gouda work well.
- No breadcrumbs? You can use crushed crackers or just leave it off. It’s still yummy without it.
- Want it spicy? Add red pepper flakes or use a spicy marinara sauce. It gives the dish a little kick!
I often use what’s already in my fridge—and every time, it turns out cheesy and delicious.
How to Make My Favorite Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno
Ingredients
For the pasta base:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Cheese mix:
- 1 can (15 oz) ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup shredded provolone
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- ½ cup grated romano
Sauce and seasoning:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Topping:
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat your oven
Preheat it to 375°F (190°C) so it’s ready when your pasta is. - Cook the pasta
Boil a pot of salted water, then add the ziti. Cook until it’s just a little firm (that’s called al dente). Drain it and set it aside. - Sauté onions and garlic
In a pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Cook the onions for about 3 minutes until soft. Then add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Don’t let it burn—it should smell amazing! - Mix everything together
In a big bowl, mix the pasta, cooked onions and garlic, all the cheeses, marinara sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir it all up really well—it should be creamy and cheesy. - Put it in a dish
Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with a little oil or cooking spray. Pour your cheesy pasta mixture in and spread it out evenly. - Add the topping
Mix the breadcrumbs with a bit of olive oil in a small bowl, then sprinkle it all over the top of the pasta. - Bake it
Pop it in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes. The top should be golden and the cheese will be bubbling. It smells so good when it’s done! - Let it cool and serve
After baking, let it rest for a few minutes. Then sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve it warm. So, so good!
Helpful Tips I’ve Learned
Here are a few little tricks to make this dish even better:
- Don’t overcook the pasta. It keeps cooking in the oven, so you want it a bit firm at first.
- Let it rest before serving. This helps it set a little, so it’s not too runny when you scoop it out.
- Make it ahead. You can mix it all, put it in the dish, cover it, and bake later. I do this when I know I’ll be busy the next day.
- Add extra sauce when reheating. Pasta can dry out in the fridge, so just add a spoon of marinara before reheating.
This is one of those meals that tastes great even the next day—if there are leftovers, that is!
Can’t Wait for You to Try This!
If you love cheesy pasta, this one is a must. It’s warm, rich, and perfect for any dinner where you want something cozy and satisfying.
If you give it a try, let me know how it turned out! And hey—come hang out with me on Pinterest where I share more easy, cheesy, and comforting recipes you’ll actually want to make.
