Description
Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno is a comforting Italian baked pasta dish featuring a rich tomato sauce and a blend of five cheeses including ricotta, mascarpone, mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, and fontina. Perfectly baked until bubbly and golden, it’s a hearty, cheesy main course that’s ideal for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese Mixture
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded fontina cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Simmer Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir well and simmer the sauce for 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with the tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and mascarpone cheese. Mix gently to evenly coat the pasta.
- Assemble Dish: Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly layer half of the mozzarella, provolone, fontina, and Parmesan cheeses over the pasta. Repeat with the remaining pasta mixture and cheeses, layering evenly.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the cheeses to melt.
- Finish Baking: Remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- For extra richness, sprinkle additional Parmesan or mozzarella cheese on top before serving.
- To make it heartier, add cooked Italian sausage, ground beef, or sautéed vegetables like spinach or mushrooms when mixing the pasta with the sauce.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary preferences if needed.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just increase baking time slightly if baking cold.
