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Gooey Five-Cheese Ziti al Forno

five-cheese ziti al forno - featured image
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A comforting and indulgent baked pasta dish featuring five types of cheese, marinara sauce, and ziti pasta, perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces ziti pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 cup provolone cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Fontina cheese, shredded
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, half of the Parmesan, and half of the provolone. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and mix until smooth.
  5. In your baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce to prevent sticking. Add half the cooked pasta, followed by half the cheese mixture. Spread evenly.
  6. Top with another layer of marinara sauce, then repeat with the remaining pasta and cheese mixture. Finish with a final layer of marinara sauce.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, and all the Fontina cheese evenly over the top.
  8. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
  9. Let the ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

[‘Don’t overcook the pasta to avoid it becoming mushy during baking.’, ‘Use freshly grated cheese for better melting.’, ‘Cover the dish with foil to prevent the cheese from burning.’, ‘Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, five-cheese ziti, cheesy pasta, comfort food, Italian recipe, family dinner, casserole dish

Find it online: https://avabake.com/gooey-five-cheese-ziti-al-forno-recipe-perfect-for-dinner/