Description
Five Cheese Ziti al Forno is a comforting Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring ziti pasta combined with a rich blend of five cheeses and savory Italian sausage, all baked to bubbly, golden perfection with marinara and tomato sauces.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauces and Seasonings
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cheeses
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese, divided
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F to prepare it for baking the pasta later.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook Sausage and Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Add the diced onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Simmer Sauces: Pour in the marinara sauce and tomato sauce into the skillet with the sausage mixture. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, half of the Parmesan, half of the Romano, 1 cup of the mozzarella, and the provolone cheese. Stir until thoroughly blended.
- Toss Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked ziti and meat sauce to the cheese mixture. Gently toss everything together to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with cheese and sauce.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining mozzarella, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses over the top to create a golden crust when baked.
- Bake: Bake the assembled dish uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of fresh flavor and color.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and substitute sautéed mushrooms or spinach for added flavor and texture.
- You can assemble the dish up to one day ahead and refrigerate before baking to save time.
- If baking from chilled, add 5 to 10 extra minutes to the baking time to ensure the dish heats through properly.
