Five Cheese Ziti al Forno

Dive into layers of tender pasta coated in a luscious blend of five cheeses, baked to golden perfection with Five Cheese Ziti al Forno.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Keyword casserole, cheese, pasta, ziti

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 561kcal

16 ounces ziti pasta
2 cups marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
1 cup heavy cream
4 cups Italian cheese blend -shredded - mozzarella, provolone, asiago, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses, divided
2 cups water use the reserved pasta water
salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup panko or breadcrumbs
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons butter melted

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti according to the package instructions for al dente. Reserve 2 cups of the pasta water before draining.
Drain the pasta when it's done, but leave it slightly undercooked since it will continue to cook in the oven.
In a medium saucepan, bring the marinara and heavy cream to a simmer, stirring as needed to avoid burning.
Add 3 cups of the cheese blend to the sauce and stir until melted.
Add up to 2 cups of the reserved pasta water to help the sauce become smooth and creamy.
Pour the sauce over the drained noodles and toss until coated. Transfer the noodles to the prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle the remaining cheese blend over the top of the noodles.
Then mix the bread crumbs and Italian seasoning. Stir in the butter until evenly coated. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the cheese layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden brown.
Remove the Ziti al Forno from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.