Skip to main content
Five Cheese Ziti al Forno

Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno

$49.99 4,680 cal Classic EntréesFamily-Style MealsBuy One Take OneLunch-Sized FavoritesLighter PortionsCatering

Includes: A pan of ziti pasta in a five cheese marinara sauce, baked with a layer of melted Italian cheeses. Breadsticks not Included
Olive Garden Menu View on OliveGarden.com

About This Dish

Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno is a baked pasta dish priced at $49.99 for a catering pan serving 4 to 6 guests and totaling 4,680 calories. Ziti pasta is tossed in a five-cheese marinara sauce, then baked in the oven with a generous layer of melted Italian cheeses forming a golden, slightly crisped top. The five-cheese blend typically includes ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, and Fontina, creating a sauce that is both creamy and sharp with a distinct depth compared to standard marinara dishes.

Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno stands out on the Classic Entrées catering menu as the richest vegetarian-style pasta option available. The baked preparation at 4,680 calories with 276 grams of fat and 9,750 milligrams of sodium makes this a substantial pan for any group meal. Note that breadsticks are not included with this specific order, unlike other catering pans, so guests planning the full meal package should add them separately. The dish pairs well with Olive Garden's Famous House Salad and works as both a standalone entrée and a pasta side at larger catering events.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving

4680 Calories
276g Total Fat
9750mg Sodium

* Nutritional values are approximate and may vary. Last updated March 2026.

How to Copycat Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno at Home?

Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Total: 60 min Easy

Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno is one of the most popular baked pasta dishes at the restaurant, combining the satisfying heartiness of baked ziti with a restaurant-quality five-cheese sauce. Home cooks searching for the copycat recipe often struggle to replicate the specific creamy-yet-sharp flavor because they use too few cheeses or skip the baking step that creates the dish's characteristic texture.

The key to this copycat recipe is building the cheese sauce correctly. Stirring ricotta directly into warm marinara creates a creamy base, while topping the dish with shredded mozzarella and Fontina ensures you get that golden, stretched cheese pull when serving. Baking covered first retains moisture, then removing the foil for the final 10 minutes sets the golden top layer that defines this dish.

Ingredients

6 servings

Pasta

Five Cheese Marinara Sauce

Cheese Topping

Instructions

0 / 6

  1. Cook ziti in heavily salted boiling water until 2 minutes short of al dente. It will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.

    9 min

    Slightly undercooked pasta is essential. Fully cooked pasta becomes mushy after baking.

  2. Preheat oven to 375F. In a large bowl, combine marinara sauce with ricotta, grated Parmesan, Romano, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth and creamy.

    5 min

  3. Add the drained ziti to the cheese marinara and toss until fully coated. Transfer to a 9x13 inch baking dish.

    3 min

  4. Scatter shredded mozzarella and Fontina evenly over the top, followed by the remaining Parmesan.

    2 min

  5. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is golden, bubbly, and lightly crisped in spots.

    40 min

    Watch the uncovered baking closely. The difference between golden and burnt is about 2 minutes at this temperature.

  6. Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the cheese to set and makes portioning much cleaner.

    10 min

Pro Tips

  • Use whole-milk ricotta, not part-skim. The higher fat content produces a creamier, richer sauce that stays smooth during baking.
  • Try a block of Fontina and shred it yourself. Pre-shredded Fontina often contains cellulose that inhibits proper melting.
  • Make this dish a day ahead and refrigerate unbaked. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking and add 10 minutes to the covered baking time.

Variations

Meat Version

Brown 1 lb of ground beef or Italian sausage and stir into the cheese marinara before combining with the pasta.

Spicy Arrabbiata Ziti

Replace standard marinara with arrabbiata sauce made with crushed red pepper flakes and garlic for a heat-forward version.

Serving Ideas

  • Serve straight from the baking dish with a large spoon for a casual family-style presentation
  • Pair with a simple Caesar salad or Italian house salad
  • Garlic breadsticks are essential for scooping up the extra cheese sauce
  • A glass of Chianti or Barbera pairs well with the tomato and cheese combination
  • Top individual portions with fresh basil and a drizzle of good olive oil before serving

More from Classic Entrées

Family-Style Lasagna Bundle Classic Entrées

Family-Style Lasagna Bundle

Bring home our Family-Style Lasagna Bundle for dinner tonight, serving 4-6 people. Your bundle features Lasagna Classico**, our Famous House Salad, and a dozen breadsticks. Please allow 2 hours when ordering this combination. **Our meat sauce is made with pan-seared beef and Italian sausage. *Prices vary in NY, AK, CA

$63.99 6,700 cal
Chicken Alfredo Classic Entrées

Chicken Alfredo

Includes: A pan of sliced grilled chicken and fettuccine pasta with our signature homemade alfredo sauce. Add Salad Or Soup And Breadsticks To Your Catering Pan To Complete Your Meal

$64.99 6,050 cal | 6,660 cal
Chicken Parmigiana Classic Entrées

Chicken Parmigiana

Includes: A pan of Chicken Parmigiana and Spaghetti with our homemade marinara. Add Salad Or Soup And Breadsticks To Your Catering Pan To Complete Your Meal

$59.99 4,790 cal
Fettuccine Alfredo Classic Entrées

Fettuccine Alfredo

Includes: A pan of fettuccine with our homemade alfredo sauce. Add Salad Or Soup And Breadsticks To Your Catering Pan To Complete Your Meal

$49.99 5,010 cal | 5,620 cal

Find Five Cheese Ziti al Forno Near You

Visit one of Olive Garden's 900+ locations to enjoy the Five Cheese Ziti al Forno at $49.99.

Olive Garden Near Me

Frequently Asked Questions

Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno is priced at $49.99 for a catering pan that serves 4 to 6 people. Note that breadsticks are not included with this particular item, unlike most other Olive Garden catering pans. Individual dine-in portions are available at a lower price.
The full catering pan of Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno contains 4,680 calories. It also has 276 grams of fat and 9,750 milligrams of sodium. Divided into 6 servings, each portion delivers approximately 780 calories.
Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno uses a blend of five Italian cheeses including ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, and Fontina mixed into the marinara sauce and melted on top. The combination creates a sauce that is both creamy and sharp with a baked, slightly crisped cheese layer on top.
Cook ziti until al dente and combine with a marinara sauce enriched with ricotta, Parmesan, and Romano cheese. Transfer to a baking dish, top with shredded mozzarella and Fontina, and bake at 375F for 25 minutes covered, then 10 minutes uncovered until the cheese is golden and bubbling. The entire preparation takes about 45 minutes.
Yes, Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti al Forno is vegetarian as it contains no meat. The dish is made with ziti pasta, five-cheese marinara sauce, and baked Italian cheeses. However, it is not vegan due to the dairy-based cheese content, and it is not gluten free as the pasta contains wheat flour.