Olive Garden is known for its delectable Italian menu items, including appetizers. For those who want to go beyond breadsticks, this copycat Stuffed Ziti Fritta is crispy, cheesy, and packed with flavors. Cooked rigatoni pasta is stuffed with a delicious cheese mixture and then fried to golden perfection!
This cheesy appetizer is the perfect way to kick off Italian night at home. Make a huge batch to serve as hors d’oeuvres or a snack for the big game. In just a few minutes, you’ll have restaurant-quality Stuffed Ziti Fritta.
What Is Stuffed Ziti Fritta?
Stuffed Ziti Fritta is a popular starter menu item at Olive Garden restaurants. Imagine thick noodles stuffed with 5 different types of cheeses. The pasta is then breaded and fried until it’s crispy and golden brown with gooey, melted cheese on the inside.
Garnish with chopped parsley and dip them in marinara or Alfredo sauce for the complete Olive Garden experience!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Rigatoni
- Ricotta Cheese
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- Softened Cream Cheese
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Shredded Romano Cheese
- Eggs
- All-purpose Flour
- Breadcrumbs
- Oil
How To Make Stuffed Ziti Fritta (with Step-by-Step Photos)
Step 1: Cook The Pasta
- Cook the pasta until al dente (2 minutes less than the recommended time from the package).
- Drain the pasta and add olive oil. Stir to coat. Set aside.
Step 2: Make The Filling & Stuff The Pasta
- Add ricotta cheese, mozzarella, cream cheese, parmesan, and Romano cheese into a large bowl. Stir to combine.
- Spoon the cheese mixture into a zip-top bag. Seal the bag and cut the corner.
- Pipe the cheese mixture into one side of the rigatoni. Flip and pipe the other side to fill.
- Place the filled rigatoni pasta on a baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Fry The Stuffed Pasta
- Place a stuffed rigatoni into the flour to coat, then dip it in the beaten egg with a fork.
- Roll the rigatoni in bread crumbs to coat. Repeat with the rest of the rigatoni.
- Carefully lower 5-6 pieces of breaded rigatoni into the 350°F hot oil using a slotted spoon. Cook for about 3 minutes. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels using a slotted spoon. Repeat with the rest of the rigatoni.
- Sprinkle with parmesan and optional chopped parsley. Serve with marinara sauce or Alfredo sauce.
Tips For The Perfect Fried Ziti Fritta
- Rigatoni pasta works better than ziti: Wider and shorter pasta works the best as it’s easier to be stuffed. Make sure to cook some extra as some may rip and break apart.
- Cook the pasta to al dente: since you’ll be double-cooking your pasta, cook it 2 minutes less than the recommended time on the package. If your noodles are too soft, they’re also likely to fall apart.
- Soften the cream cheese ahead of time: This will make mixing much easier.
- Use a zip-top bag hack when stuffing the pasta.
- Freeze the stuffed pasta for 30 minutes before frying.
What Kind Of Pasta Should I Use? Rigatoni Vs. Ziti
Though this dish has “ziti” in its name, we recommend using Rigatoni pasta because it’s shorter and wider than ziti. The wider tubes allow for easier stuffing.
How To Stuff The Pasta?
Stuffing the pasta is most easily done by using a piping bag. These are the same bags used for cake decorating and there is usually a tip at the end of the bag. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can stuff the cheese into a regular zip-top bag and make a small snip in a corner of the bag.
What Goes With Stuffed Ziti Fritta? (Serving Suggestions)
Stuffed ziti fritta is a filling dish on its own, but it also pairs well with a variety of sides and accompaniments. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Marinara sauce: Serve your stuffed ziti fritta with a side of marinara sauce for dipping. The tangy tomato flavor of the sauce complements the richness of the fried pasta perfectly.
- Garlic bread: Crusty garlic bread is the perfect accompaniment to stuffed ziti fritta. The garlic flavor complements the pasta’s cheese and meat filling, and the bread provides a satisfying crunch.
- Salad: A fresh, crisp salad is an excellent way to balance out the richness of the fried pasta. A simple Caesar salad or mixed greens with a light vinaigrette dressing works well.
- Wine: Pair your stuffed ziti fritta with a nice glass of red wine. A Chianti or Barbera is an excellent choice.
How To Store Fried Ziti Fritta?
If you have leftover stuffed ziti fritta, let it cool to room temperature before storing it. Then wrap the stuffed ziti fritta in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This will help keep it from drying out and prevent any odors from permeating the pasta.
Place the wrapped stuffed ziti fritta in the refrigerator. It should last for up to 3 days.
Reheat: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftover stuffed ziti fritta, reheat it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. This will help restore the crispy exterior and warm up the gooey cheese and meat filling.
Can You Freeze Stuffed Ziti Fritta?
If you wish, you can freeze your al dente, stuffed noodles for frying at a later date. This is a convenient way to store any leftovers or to prepare ahead of time for a busy dinner. The stuffed noodles should be stored in an air-tight bag or container. It’s not recommended to freeze stuffed Ziti Fritta after they’ve already been fried.
How Long Are Stuffed Ziti Fritta Good For?
Using the method above, your noodles can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Fried noodles should be consumed as soon as possible for the best taste.
FAQ
What is a Fritta at Olive Garden?
There are other “Fritta” menu items at Olive Garden. A fritta indicates that something in the meal has been breaded and deep-fried until it’s crispy and golden.
For example, their lasagne fritta consists of your typical piece of lasagne, but it has been breaded and fried.
What is Stuffed Ziti Fritta Made of?
Stuffed ziti fritta is made by stuffing cooked ziti pasta with a mixture of cheese and meat (usually a combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and ground beef or sausage).
The stuffed pasta is then coated in breadcrumbs and fried until crispy and golden. The result is a delicious and indulgent Italian treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
If you tried this recipe, let me know how your Stuffed Ziti Fritta turns out in the comments below!
Best Stuffed Ziti Fritta Recipe
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1/2 lb Rigatoni (or Ziti Pasta)
- water
- salt
- 1 tablespoon oil
For the Filling (5 cheeses)
- 1/4 cup ricotta
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/4 cup cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (grated, plus more for serving)
- 1/4 cup Romano cheese shredded
For Frying
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- oil for frying
Optional for Serving
- Marinara Sauce
- Alfredo Sauce
- chopped parsley
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt.
- Add pasta and cook until al dente (2 minutes less than the recommended time from the package).
- Drain the pasta and add olive oil. Stir to coat. Set aside to cool.
Make the Filling & Stuff the Pasta
- While your pasta is cooking, you can make the filling. In a large bowl, add ricotta cheese, mozzarella, cream cheese, parmesan, and Romano cheese. Stir until combined.
- Spoon the cheese mixture into a zip-top bag. Seal the bag and cut the corner.
- Pipe the cheese mixture into one side of the rigatoni. Flip and pipe the other side to fill.
- Place the filled rigatoni pasta on a baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes.
Fry the Stuffed Pasta
- Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large pot until it reaches 350°F.
- Place eggs, flour, and bread crumbs into 3 separate bowls.
- Place a stuffed rigatoni into the flour to coat, then shake off excess flour. Dip it in the beaten egg with a fork. Then roll the rigatoni in bread crumbs to coat. Repeat with the rest of the rigatoni.
- Carefully lower 5-6 pieces of breaded rigatoni into the hot oil using a slotted spoon. Cook for about 3 minutes or until the cheeses just start to ooze out.
- Remove to a plate lined with paper towels using a slotted spoon. Repeat with the rest of the rigatoni.
- Sprinkle with parmesan and optional chopped parsley. Serve with marinara sauce or Alfredo sauce.
Notes
- It’s best to use Rigatoni pasta as it’s shorter and wider than ziti.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing.
- Cook extra pasta in case some rip and break apart.
Katie says
So cheesy and flavorful! We all love this one!
Ashley says
I made this for dinner and it was so good. Easy too!