If you’re a fan of Olive Garden’s warm, tomatoy comfort, this Olive Garden Five Cheese Marinara Recipe accomplishes the same restaurant-style comfort poolside. It pairs bright, roasted tomato brightness with a smooth, cheesy finish to make a sauce that’s luxurious but easy to prepare.
This is a super-simple spaghetti marinara that can be done within 30 minutes. By using common pantry ingredients such as avocado oil, onion, garlic, Roma tomatoes and a can of fire-roasted crushed tomatoes, the procedure is quick and tolerant. A short simper creates depth while the cheese mix creates a luxurious finish.
I will take you through each step to make your sauce turn out balanced and bright. You will receive tiny chef points of advice on texture and season to make it turn out restaurant-style at home.
If you want a simple marinara, you can make a simple marinara sauce by anyone. That’s available on our site. Some even prefer this with Alfredo sauce to have a creamy rich experience.
Why You’ll Love Olive Garden 5 Cheese Marinara Recipe
Speed and flavors: this sauce is demonstration that you don’t require hours to achieve wonderful tomato flavors. Browing of the onion and utilization of fire-basted crushed tomatoes provide a well-balanced, weakly smoky foundation within 30 minutes.
Creamy, smooth cheese: the five-cheese mix contributes richness and smoothness without overwhelming the tomatoes. A sprinkle of melted mozzarella and shaved hard cheeses finish acidity and provide a good mouthfeel.
Versatile and lenient: pair with spaghetti, make it into a baked pasta sauce, top your grilled chicken with it, or predip your breadsticks. It’s simple to adjust to heat, to make sweeter or herbier, and to replace vegetable broth to remain vegetarian.
Ingredients Required for Olive Garden Five Cheese Marinara Recipe
Before you start, make sure you have all the following ingredients listed below for this Olive Garden Five Cheese Marinara Recipe
Makes about 4 servings of sauce (enough for 12 ounces of spaghetti)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, adjust to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 cups Roma tomatoes, diced (about 3 medium Roma)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional and to taste
Five-cheese blend (approximate, adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons grated Romano
- 2 tablespoons grated Asiago
- 2 tablespoons shredded Fontina
or use about 3/4 cup of a pre-blended Italian five-cheese mix
Suggestions: If someone doesn’t have these separately, they can easily find ready-made packets in the market where all these cheeses are already mixed.
To serve
- 12 ounces spaghetti, cooked according to package directions
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, optional
- Extra grated Parmesan, optional
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Large saucepan or deep skillet with lid
- Wooden spoon or heatproof spatula
- Chef’s knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Box grater (if grating your own cheeses)
- Large pot for cooking pasta and a colander
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
How To Make Olive Garden 5 Cheese Marinara
Just follow these easy steps to make your own Olive Garden 5 Cheese Marinara at home
1. Prepare ingredients: mince the onion, mince the garlic, dice the Roma tomatoes, and measure the broth and spices. Have your five-cheese mix ready.
2. Heat the pan: Preheat a large saucepan over a medium-heat and add the avocado oil. Once the oil is glistening add the chopped onion and mince garlic. Stiring with a sprinkle of salt, black pepper and sugar.
3. Caramelize the onion: cook, stirring frequently, for approximately 5 minutes until the onion relaxes and starts to caramelize. This step contributes inherent sweetness and depth.
4. Add new tomatoes: add the diced Roma tomatoes and cook until about 5 minutes, mashing with the spoon a little here and there to get them to begin to dissolve.
5. Make the sauce: add the broken down fire-roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, dried basil, dried oregano, garlic powder and red pepper flakes ground into casseroles. Stir to combine and bring to a soft boil.
6. Simmer: Lower heat to low and let sauce simmer, uncovered, until flavors combine, at least 10 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Thin sauce with a splatter of broth or a bit of pasta water, if too thick.
7. Finish with cheese: take the pan off the heat and add about half of the five-cheese mix and stir until smooth and creamy. Save some cheese to sprinkle on top to your cheesy finish. If desired, simple marinara, then don’t bother with this step and instead make our separate marinara recipe available on our website.
8. Serve: Toss sauce with spaghetti cooked, or spoon over pasta plated. Spoon over cooked pasta and garnish with chopped basil or parsley and with reserved cheese.
How to Store Olive Garden Five Cheese Marinara Properly?
Cool sauce completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze in freezer-safe containers up to 3 months.
To reheat, thaw overnight if frozen, then warm gently on the stove over low heat with a splash of broth or pasta water to loosen. Stir in a little fresh cheese at the end for creaminess.
What to Pair and Serve with Olive Garden Five Cheese Marinara
1. Classic Spaghetti Night
Nothing beats tossing this rich marinara with a big pot of spaghetti. We’ve tried it with both thick and thin spaghetti, and honestly, the sauce clings beautifully either way.
2. Layered into Baked Ziti
We once made a bubbling tray of baked ziti with this marinara, mozzarella, and ricotta. The cheese pulls and crisp edges made it an instant family favorite.
3. With Cheesy Garlic Bread
We’ve dipped warm garlic bread straight into the sauce-no pasta needed. It’s messy, indulgent, and addictive.
4. Over Grilled Chicken
When we’re craving something lighter, we spoon this sauce over grilled chicken breasts. It feels fancy without much effort.
5. Stuffed Peppers
One of our favorite weeknight tricks is to spoon this sauce over stuffed bell peppers before baking. It adds moisture and flavor that ties the whole dish together.
6. As a Pizza Base
Yes, we’ve spread this Five Cheese Marinara onto homemade pizza dough. The cheesy, herby tomato flavor makes for a bold base that works especially well with veggie toppings.
7. With Ravioli or Tortellini
Pairing it with cheese ravioli feels like a match made in heaven. It also complements meat-filled tortellini, and if you’ve ever enjoyed the Olive Garden Braised Beef and Tortellini Recipe, you’ll know exactly how comforting this combo can be.
8. Eggplant Parmesan
We’ve layered slices of fried eggplant with this marinara and extra cheese, then baked it. The result was hearty and satisfying-like Olive Garden at home.
9. As a Dipping Sauce for Appetizers
Mozzarella sticks, fried zucchini, or even simple breadsticks come alive when dunked in this marinara. We usually make a little extra just for dipping.
10. With Polenta or Gnocchi
One evening we served it over creamy polenta, and another time with pillowy gnocchi. Both variations turned out rustic and comforting, proving how versatile this sauce really is.
My Personal Experience With this Recipe and Some Tips
I made this Olive Garden Five Cheese Marinara at home, and it was so yummy! The sauce was cheesy, creamy, and rich in tomato flavor. It tasted just like the restaurant, but better because I cooked it. My family ate it all!
Suggestions for This Recipe
1. Slowly caramelize the onion for sweetness.
2. Taste the sauce for salt before adding more.
3. Use fire-roasted tomatoes for better flavor.
4. Reserve pasta water to help with the sauce consistency.
5. If you like it cheesy, add more cheese on the top of the dish.
6. Allow the sauce to rest for a minute before serving it, it takes on richness!
FAQs on Olive Garden Five Cheese Marinara Recipe
Here are some common questions I’ve got you covered about the Olive Garden Five Cheese Marinara Recipe .
1. Is it okay if I leave off the five-cheese blend and only use one or two cheeses?
Of course! We’ve done it before-if you only have mozzarella and Parmesan, it’s still delicious. The depth and creaminess will just be a little less decadent.
2. Will the sauce be chunky or smooth?
In our experience, the sauce stays pretty smooth, with just a few soft tomato bits. If you prefer it totally smooth, you can mash the tomatoes or blend a small part of the sauce quickly.
3. If I add crushed red pepper, how spicy will it end up?
Mild to medium, depending on how much you add. We usually add only about ¼ teaspoon, so it has a little warmth to it, but won’t overwhelm your taste buds.
4. Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomatoes?
Of course! We have used fresh Roma tomatoes before. You might need a little longer cooking time and maybe a little extra cheese because fresh tomatoes have more water content.
5. What pasta works the best?
In our kitchen, we use spaghetti, but you can use penne or ziti or whatever kind of noodle you would like! Just be sure to cook the pasta “al dente,” so it isn’t mushy.
6. Is it possible to prepare this sauce ahead of time?
You can! We sometimes prepare it one day ahead. Keep it in the refrigerator and slowly re-heat, adding just a bit of broth or water when heating to restore the original texture.
7. Does it freeze well?
From testing, we found that it freezes okay, especially before adding cheese. The texture does change a little when thawed, and we typically add more broth or fresh cheese in before serving.
8. What do I do if my sauce is too thick?
We simply stir in a little extra chicken broth or reserved pasta water until you can loosen it up a bit.
9. What if I don’t have fresh onion or garlic? Can I omit it altogether?
You can, but we don’t recommend omitting both-onion and garlic are kind of the base to building flavor. But if you did omit fresh onion, just use a pinch more dried onion powder or extra seasoning.
10. Can I turn this into a baked dish like the Olive Garden’s Ziti al Forno?
Yes! We have done that, after mixing the sauce and cooked pasta together, put it in a baking dish and top with cheese (with breadcrumbs if desired) and bake until golden and bubbly.
Creating Olive Garden’s Five Cheese Marinara in your own kitchen is incredibly fulfilling! It’s a creamy, rich, and comforting dish; no worries as it’s easy enough that you could make it for a weeknight dinner.
The best part is the flexibility-you can switch out different kinds of cheese, add or reduce the spices, or even make a baked pasta dish. Will you keep it traditional and enjoy the marinara over the spaghetti or more wild and try with Alfre
I’d love to hear your thoughts-leave a comment on the blog and let me know How it came out! Don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and YouTube for more delicious updates. Your support truly means everything to me.