Description
Five Cheese Ziti al Forno brings Italian comfort straight to home kitchens with rich, melted cheeses and hearty pasta. Creamy marinara and golden breadcrumbs create a delightful signature dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 15 ounces (425 grams) diced tomatoes (drained)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese (grated)
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese blend (grated parmesan, Romano, Asiago)
- 1/2 cup fontina cheese (can use grated Monterey Jack)
Creamy and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Prepare pasta in boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Coat ziti with olive oil to prevent sticking, then set aside.
- Create sauce by combining marinara, heavy cream, diced tomatoes, and sugar in a saucepan. Simmer gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Incorporate parmesan, fontina, and mozzarella cheeses until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
- Transfer pasta to a large oven-safe baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the ziti, ensuring complete coverage and distribution.
- Layer additional mozzarella cheese across the top of the pasta. Sprinkle parmesan cheese blend for extra flavor complexity.
- Preheat broiler to high. Distribute breadcrumbs uniformly over the cheese. Place dish under broiler for 3-4 minutes, watching carefully until cheese turns golden brown and breadcrumbs become crispy.
- Remove from broiler and let rest for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with fresh grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while hot and cheese is melted.
Notes
- Cook ziti just until al dente to maintain a firm texture and prevent mushiness when baking.
- Use room temperature cheeses for smoother, more even melting and a silkier sauce consistency.
- Swap dairy cheeses with plant-based alternatives like cashew or almond-based cheese blends to accommodate vegan or lactose-intolerant diets.
- Replace regular pasta with gluten-free ziti and use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the dish celiac-friendly without compromising flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg