One Pot Olive Garden’s Five Cheese Ziti Copy Cat tastes even better than Ziti dishes you’d order from a restaurant! This One Pot meal is a fast, easy, dump and go dinner that won’t leave you with a sink full of dishes! All it takes is a handful of ingredients to create this Pasta dish.
One Pot Meals
One Pot Meals are exactly what the name implies. A meal, made all in one pot.
You know what is even better than a One Pot Meal? A Dump and Go One Pot Meal. This Creamy Ziti has Z-E-R-O prep.
Need to help your child with their math homework and make dinner? No problem. You are 30 minutes away from amazing pasta that I happen to like even better than Olive Garden’s 5 Cheese Ziti.
One Pot Creamy Ziti Inspiration
This dish was originally made in the Instant Pot. My Dump and Start Instant Pot Creamy Ziti Recipe has (as of today) been pinned over 32 THOUSAND TIMES since I posted the recipe one month ago!
Along with all of those repins came a lot of messages with the question ‘I don’t have an Instant Pot! How do I make this without it?’
So, all of you Instant Pot-less people, here it is and you’re welcome. 🙂
When I tested this recipe out on the stovetop, I was planning on taking it to a friend who had just had surgery. Let’s just say I am glad I purposely made some extra because my husband and I could not stop eating it.
This is every bit as good as the Instant Pot version.. maybe even a dash better. ?
How to make One Pot Creamy Ziti Pasta
In a large skillet, mix together broth, cream, salt, pepper, minced garlic and dry ziti pasta.
Cover and heat over medium high heat until it starts to simmer. Once it starts to simmer uncover the skillet and let it simmer for an additional 10 minutes or until the pasta is aldente.
Turn the heat down to low and add in the red pasta sauce. I like to use the Hunt’s brand four-cheese pasta sauce.
Lastly, fresh parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese are gradually added to the skillet. As the cheese melts it will thicken the sauce up.
Let the pasta cool for 5 or so minutes and the sauce will soak into the pasta a bit and the sauce will thicken even more.
Serve and be amazed at how tasty it is for the amount of work it took to get onto the table.
One Pot Creamy Ziti Pasta Bake
(Printable Recipe Below)
One Pot Creamy Ziti Pasta tastes even better than Ziti dishes you’d order from a restaurant! This One Pot meal is a fast, easy, dump and go dinner that won’t leave you with a sink full of dishes! All it takes is a handful of ingredients to create this Pasta dish.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp minced garlic dried
- salt and pepper to taste
- 8 oz ziti pasta dry
- 1 cup red pasta sauce
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet, combine the broth, cream, garlic, salt, pepper and dry pasta.
- Cover and heat over medium high heat until it starts to simmer.
- Once it is simmering, take the lid off and let simmer for an additional 10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.
- When the pasta is cooked, turn the heat down to medium low.
- Add in the red pasta sauce and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Gradually add in the cheese and stir to melt the cheese into the sauce. The cheese will thicken the sauce as it melts.
- Let the pasta rest for 5 or so minutes to let the pasta absorb a little of the sauce and then serve.
PIN ME!!
Want more great recipes? Check these out!!
- Instant Pot Cashew Chicken and Noodles
- Dump and Start Instant Pot Alfredo
- Pulled Teriyaki Chicken Sliders
- Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
- Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie
- Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
- Chicken Wraps
- Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings
- Alfredo Sauce
- Pressure Cooker Steak
- Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
- Asiago Bagel
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One Pot Creamy Ziti Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp minced garlic dried
- salt and pepper to taste
- 8 oz ziti pasta dry
- 1 cup red pasta sauce
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet, combine the broth, cream, garlic, salt, pepper and dry pasta.
- Cover and heat over medium high heat until it starts to simmer.
- Once it is simmering, take the lid off and let simmer for an additional 10 minutes or until the pasta is aldente.
- When the pasta is cooked, turn the heat down to medium low.
- Add in the red pasta sauce and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Gradually add in the cheese and stir to melt the cheese into the sauce. The cheese will thicken the sauce as it melts.
- Let the pasta rest for 5 or so minutes to let the pasta absorb a little of the sauce and then serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Robin Perkins says
Can this be doubled easily for a larger family?
karlibitner says
Yes! This doubles great. ?
Jennifer says
I doubled this recipe tonight and it was a big hit. The only thing different was that I had to use penne because my Safeway didn’t have ziti.
My kid is on her second bowl and has already packed some to take to school for lunch tomorrow. That’s my barometer for a successful recipe!
Next time I’ll leave out the salt in the beginning step because the broth I keep on hand is salty enough. The dish still tasted great this time but a smidge less salt wouldn’t have hurt it any.
Pinning on my “tried and true” board for future reference! As much as I love my Instant Pot, I don’t think this recipe needs it because it’s already so quick and easy. I’ll be using this version in the future.
karlibitner says
So happy to hear this!! I love when my kiddos ask for seconds, too. Happens every time with this meal!! ❤️
Tiffany says
How many servings is this?
karlibitner says
Hi Tiffany, this serves 4-6. 4 if this is the only dish being served, 6 if you are planning on having other sides. ?
Tiffany Lockard says
Thank you! Gonna double and try tonight!
karlibitner says
Awesome! Hope you love it, Tiffany! ?
Karissa Belfils says
Super excited to try this recipe! Quick question: If you don’t have jarred Pasta Sauce, can you make your own? Thanks so much!
karlibitner says
You definitely can! Some tomato sauce with some Italian seasoning will do the trick!
Stephanie says
Could you substitute half and half for the heavy whipping cream? Thank you!
karlibitner says
Hi Stephanie! I wouldn’t recommend substituting half and half. Half-and-half tends to separate and curdle, due to the lower fat content. If you are looking for a skinnier option, I would suggest giving evaporated milk a try. Hope this helps!
Leslie says
Has anyone tried to freeze this? Wondering if it would work to take to recoverying family.
karlibitner says
Hi Leslie- I haven’t ever frozen this, I’m not sure how it would reheat. Sorry I don’t have a better answer! I’ll freeze some next time I make it to try it out.
JoAnn Burton says
Can I use whole milk rather than heavy cream?
karlibitner says
Hi JoAnn, Whole milk doesn’t have enough fat to stabilize it while boiling. It will most likely curdle. If you are looking for a more health conscious option to the Heavy Cream I would suggest giving Evaporated Milk a try. Hope this helps!
Corinne says
Hi, do you have a baking recipe for this? I need to make about 8x this amount, and am unsure about the best way to go about it.
Delicious recipe, by the way!
Corinne says
Might a large batch work in a large pot, such as the size for boiling potatoes?
karlibitner says
Corinne- I apologize for taking so long to get back with you!! I would suggest either a large pot, like for potatoes, or making a couple of doubled batches. Hopefully it works out well for you!
Denise says
This dish was a huge hit with my family! I was surprised how juicy and flavorful it was. The only change I made was to add 1\4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Thank you for sharing!
karlibitner says
Love that addition! ❤️
Meghan says
My family likes some meat with their pasta. At what point would you suggest adding meat to this dish?
Karli Bitner says
You could add in browned ground beef or browned sausage! I would just brown it separately and then stir it in at the end.
Hope says
What is the heavy cream?
Karli Bitner says
This is found in the dairy section of your grocery store. Near the half and half, buttermilk etc. It will say heavy whipping cream on the carton.
Sam says
Hi- This dish sounds so yummy! I’m having company tonight and don’t want to be cooking in the kitchen while they are here so id like to make this a few hours in advance. Would you suggest cooking the pasta a little less maybe and then put it in the oven to reheat? Or just reheat in the stove top again. I’m iffy with reheating pasta because I don’t want it to be too mushy. What are your thoughts?
Thanks
Karli Bitner says
I would probably undercook the pasta a tad and then reheat in the oven.
Sarina says
Am I able to substitute vegetable broth instead of chicken broth? Wondering if the taste will be the same.
Karli Bitner says
I haven’t ever made this substitution before so I can’t say for sure, but I would assume it would still be delicious. 🙂
Lisa says
Hans down our favorite pasta recipe for in the pressure cooker! It reheats really well too. This one goes in my permanent rotation file. Thanks so much for sharing!