The Legendary Five Cheese Ziti

Five cheese ziti. What do I say about it other than YUM! As you might already know, pasta has a special place in my heart—and this recipe definitely has its own designated spot. With its rich marinara and creamy Alfredo sauce, this dish is one I know will rock your taste buds just like it rocked mine.

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Where the Inspiration Came From

Imagine you’re eating out at Olive Garden. You order your favorite dish—Fettuccine Alfredo. Before the server even sets the plate down, you can already smell that smooth, creamy goodness. You’re just about to take your first bite when you catch a whiff of something else… something even more irresistible.

You glance over your shoulder and see a big, hot, steamy bowl of Five Cheese Ziti being placed at the table behind you. Your jaw hits the floor. Suddenly, you’re questioning your entire life decision.

That was me, one day.

I went home and immediately started scouring the internet for a Five Cheese Ziti recipe. I found one, saved it to my phone, and made it later that week. And while that recipe was great—it’s not this one. This one is mine. And it’s better.

Why Choose This Recipe?

I know there are plenty of ziti recipes out there, but I hope this one touches your heart—or at least your taste buds—the way it touched mine.

While it’s inspired by that first recipe I found online, what makes this version special is the sauce: both homemade, from scratch, with love. (And of course, a few little secrets sprinkled in.) But hey—I can’t just give you those secrets up front. You’ll have to peek at the notes.

When to Make This Dish

Honestly? Anytime. This dish works for:

A cozy weeknight dinner
Family get-togethers
Potlucks
Or a “just because I want pasta” kind of night

If you’ve got the ingredients, don’t wait. Get up and treat yourself to this warm, melty, Legendary Five Cheese Ziti.

Hailey’s Legendary Five Cheese Ziti Ingredients

For the Pasta and Sauce:

1 lb ziti pasta
4 cups marinara sauce (Homemade Recipe)
2 cups Alfredo sauce (also homemade and totally worth the wait!)
½ cup ricotta cheese
½ cup Fontina cheese, shredded

For the Topping:

2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
¼ cup Romano cheese, grated
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
2 garlic cloves, minced

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the ziti until al dente, then drain completely.
No pasta water needed—this dish is saucy enough on its own.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, ricotta cheese, and Fontina cheese. Mix well until everything is evenly coated.
Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9×13 baking dish.
In a separate bowl, mix together the mozzarella cheese, Italian breadcrumbs, Romano cheese, Parmesan cheese, and minced garlic.
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the pasta.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, golden, and slightly crisp.
Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes & Tips

Use Homemade Sauces If You Can
Homemade marinara and alfredo sauce links.
Go For Freshly Shredded And Graded Cheese
Store-bought versions are usually coated in cornstarch to prevent clumping, but that coating can keep the cheese from melting smoothly. Freshly shredded cheese gives you that gooey, stretchy, dreamy texture we all crave in a baked pasta dish.
Want A Secret?
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your sauce if you are using jarred marinara sauce to add a little kick and make the flavor pop!

What To Serve It With

With a dish like this, it needs a side dish that is just as perfect as the main dish. With that, here is a few side dish ideas for you to try!

Garlic Bread or Breadsticks
Because what is pasta without some bread on the side?
A Simple Green Salad
With a salad, the possibilities are endless. How about a simple salad with some tomatoes, cucumbers, maybe some more cheese, and a light dressing?
Roasted Veggies
Roasted broccoli, anyone? How about some asparagus?
A Little Sip Of Something
Let’s be real, who has a meal without something to drink next to them? Some sparkling water, or maybe a nice glass of white wine, or maybe you are a good old-fashioned water kind of person.

From that life-changing Olive Garden moment to crafting my own version at home, this Five Cheese Ziti has truly earned its legendary status. It’s everything pasta should be — warm, cheesy, saucy, and oh-so satisfying. Whether you’re sharing it at a family dinner, bringing it to a potluck, or keeping the whole dish for yourself (no judgment here), one bite is all it takes to know this recipe is a keeper.

Until Next Time…

Stay Saucy

Hailey 🍝

Pasta-tively Delicious