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Five Cheese Ziti al Forno

July 25, 2019 by Tanya // 12 Comments

I am a carb lover. PERIOD. My love affair with carbs began … as soon as I started eating solid food? πŸ˜€ It’s delicious and addictive. And it was my chosen birthday meal this year in large part because pasta will become an occasional meal as part of my get healthy plan. It won’t be eliminated but more of a special occasion treat – like my b-day!

Just want the recipe? Cool. Here you go: Jump to Recipe.

As I mentioned in my birthday prompt post, I make a special birthday meal for myself every year. Because I’m me and food is constantly on my mind, I think about what I’ll make all year round. Sometimes I change my mind after every visit to Pinterest and other times – like this year – the meal of choice never wavers.

One reason I was drawn to this Five Cheese Ziti was its simplicity. Listen, I’m fine pulling out all my pans and dishes to whip up something incredible but I also really appreciate convenience too. I am a foodie but not a food snob. Using canned items doesn’t offend me.

Five Cheese Ziti

Of course, you can absolutely make your own marinara sauce and alfredo sauce if you have the time and inclination. But I didn’t. And I loved that this dish took an hour to make with tons of downtime while the pasta boiled and the dish baked. It was so easy and yummy and reheated beautifully, making it a winner winner, birthday dinner in my book.

Five Cheese Ziti al Forno

Serves 6-8
Lightly adapted from Dinner then Dessert

Ingredients

  • 1 box (16 oz) ziti or penne or your favorite pasta shape
  • 4 cups (32 oz) marinara sauce
  • 2 cups (16 oz) alfredo sauce
  • 1/2 cup fontina cheese shredded
  • Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1/4 cup romano cheese, grated
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 teaspoon, dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon, dried basil
  • Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Cook pasta to box directions to just under al dente or slightly undercooked. It will finish cooking in the sauce in the oven.
  3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine marinara sauce, alfredo sauce, ricotta cheese, fontina cheese and red pepper flakes together. Stir in drained pasta. Pour into a 9×13 baking dish, coated with non-stick spray. Set aside.
  4. In a small skillet, add a swirl of extra virgin olive oil or a pat of butter. Add garlic cloves and cook, stirring continuously for 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, romano cheese, panko breadcrumbs, garlic, basil and oregano together. Pepper to taste (this does not need any extra salt in my opinion). Spread cheese mixture evenly over pasta. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Serve immediately. Strongly suggest with salad and garlic bread. πŸ˜€

Special Notes

I’m a huge garlic fan but uncooked garlic can have quite a bitter taste, which is why I very quickly and lightly sauted the garlic. This is optional. You can use raw garlic or replace with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.

This is apparently an Olive Garden copycat recipe. I have never tasted their version, so I can’t compare the two, but it hit my sweet spot perfectly and I truly savored every bite. For my birthday, I enjoyed it with a parmesan crusted chicken breast, but it could easily be paired with your favorite protein or as a stand-alone entree too. It easy enough for a weeknight meal and fancy enough for a get together and always delicious.

Tanya

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Tanya
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Meet Tanya
I'm a web designer, freelance writer (check out my services) and a full-time Mom to one playful cat named Mighty Max. My hobbies include whipping up culinary creations on Eat Laugh Purr, adding to my flip-flop collection and indulging Max. I hope you'll join me on my journey to mindfulness.

Comments

  1. Rebecca Jo says

    July 25, 2019 at 4:52 AM

    Are we sure we aren’t twins seperated at birth? Just saying….
    I may have looked longingly at that plate of carb happiness! good for you enjoying your favorite for your big day! Hope your birthday was full of deliciousness all around!

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      August 12, 2019 at 10:05 PM

      I think we might possibly be, Rebecca Jo! And I can’t think of a better person to be twinsies with either! πŸ˜€

      Reply
  2. Audrey says

    July 26, 2019 at 6:31 AM

    Oh em gee- YUM! I have never been a huge fan of super heavy or cheesy pasta but…. this dang baby is! Haha! That looks and sounds incredible! What a delicious and perfect bday meal!

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      August 12, 2019 at 10:06 PM

      I’d like to lie and say I don’t like heavy pasta dishes either but … I do. I like them too much. LOL!

      Reply
  3. Dani says

    July 26, 2019 at 10:26 AM

    I love doing something for myself for my birthday. It just makes it seem extra special, regardless of other people, ya know?! My bday tradition is taking off from work and doing whatever I want- and if it falls on a weekend, I’m taking off either Friday or Monday πŸ™‚ I’m a huge lover of carbs AND cheese, so definitely saving this to make soon!

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      August 12, 2019 at 10:10 PM

      I used to do the same too when I worked in Corporate America. And it was nice because with my birthday in July, I normally didn’t have any issue getting the day off either. I loved having the day to myself to do whatever I pleased. It felt like such an indulgence! I hope you do make this and love it as much as I did!

      Reply
  4. Nancy @ NY Foodie Family says

    July 26, 2019 at 11:54 AM

    Happy Birthday and what a delicious looking meal! I’m all about the pasta too and it’s one of the reasons that I can’t give up carbs! Glad you enjoyed such a great birthday meal!

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      August 12, 2019 at 10:11 PM

      I can’t give up carbs either. I don’t know why I keep trying to quit them because it just doesn’t work. Moderation would be the more sensible choice, except during my birthday month! πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  5. Mackenzie says

    July 30, 2019 at 10:44 AM

    Oh wow, that looks ah-mazing!!!!!!! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      August 12, 2019 at 10:11 PM

      Thanks, Mackenzie!

      Reply
  6. chelsea jacobs says

    August 7, 2019 at 6:34 AM

    Fellow carb lover over here! This looks AMAZING!

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      August 12, 2019 at 10:15 PM

      Thanks Chelsea! It tasted pretty darn amazing to this carb lover too!

      Reply

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Tanya

Hi! I'm Tanya ...
I’m a dreamer trying to be more of a doer with aspirations to be both enough and magnificent. I believe in wholehearted living and being authentic. Learn more about me and why I created A Mindful Migration, here.

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