Looking for an easy baked mostaccioli recipe? Look no further! This dish is simple to make and is sure to please everyone at your dinner table. Mostaccioli is a traditional Italian pasta that is made with ground meat and tomato sauce.
It can be served with cheese or without, depending on your preference. In this recipe, we will show you how to make a delicious baked mostaccioli dish that the whole family will love!
What is Mostaccioli?
Mostaccioli is a type of tube-shaped pasta that is commonly used in Italian cuisine. It is made from durum wheat and has a ridged surface. Mostaccioli can be found in both long and short varieties. Similar to penne pasta.
What is baked mostaccioli?
Baked mostaccioli is a casserole dish that is made with mostaccioli pasta, tomato sauce, sausage, and cheese. It is a popular comforting dish in Italy and the United States.
Why You’ll Love this easy Baked Mostaccioli Recipe
- Perfect quick and easy weeknight meal
- Filling and hearty meal
- Great for feeding a large group (family dinner)
- Simply ingredients
- Cheesy and delicious – no one will be able to resist!
- Ultimate easy comfort food meal
Ingredients for baked mostaccioli recipe
- Mostaccioli pasta
- Italian sausage (hot Italian sausage) or any ground meat
- Marinara sauce (good quality or homemade marinara sauce)
- Mozzarella cheese
- Fresh Parmesan cheese
- Ricotta cheese
- Yellow Onion, red onion, or onion powder
- Minced garlic clove or garlic powder
- Oregano
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Egg
- Fresh parsley
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
Can I use a different kind of meat for baked Mostaccioli?
Yes, you can! If you don’t like sausage, you can use ground beef, ground pork, chicken, or turkey.
How to make bake mostaccioli
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Boil the mostaccioli noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside with pasta still in the pot.
- Season your meat with black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning for more flavor
- In a large skillet, add the diced onion, garlic, and sausage.
- Cook the sausage over medium heat until it is no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
- Next, mix in the marinara sauce with the sausage and let simmer for 3-4 minutes
- Transfer the meat sauce mixture to the pot of the drained pasta and mix.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the egg, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and oregano. Mix together until combined.
- Pour half of the pasta into the prepared baking dish. Spread all of the ricotta mixture over the top of the pasta and spread evenly.
- Pour the other half of the pasta mixture on top and sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes
- Remove aluminum foil and bake for 10 additional minutes until cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with parsley leaves if desired. Serve warm. Enjoy!
Tips for making the best baked mostaccioli
- Cook the Pasta Al Dente: This is important so the pasta doesn’t get mushy when baking.
- Be sure to use a high-quality marinara sauce. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your dish.
- Add extra cheese: If you love cheese, feel free to add even more on top!
- Try different meats: As we mentioned above
- We prefer to use hot Italian sausage in this recipe, but you can use sweet Italian sausage if you prefer.
- Don’t forget to season your meat! This will help to give the dish more flavor.
- If you want a little bit of a kick, add in some red pepper flakes when you’re cooking the sausage.
- Use a large casserole dish
Can I make a vegetarian version of this mostaccioli recipe?
Yes, you can! Just leave out the sausage and use vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant, green bell peppers, or any plant-based meat of your choice.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can make baked mostaccioli up to 24 hours in advance. Just prepare the dish as directed and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven and bake as directed.
You may need to add a few minutes to the baking time if the dish is cold when it goes into the oven.
How to store baked mostaccioli
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days or freeze for up to three months.
Reheat in the oven until warmed through.
What to serve with baked mostaccioli?
- Salad
- Garlic bread
- Steamed vegetables
- Roasted vegetables
- Sautéed vegetables
- Spinach
Final thoughts
This easy baked mostaccioli recipe is perfect for Sunday dinner and feeding a crowd. It’s hearty, flavorful, and always a hit! Plus, it can be made ahead of time and frozen for later.
PrintEasy Baked Mostaccioli Recipe
Looking for an easy baked mostaccioli recipe? Look no further! This dish is simple to make and is sure to please everyone at your dinner table. Mostaccioli is a traditional Italian pasta that is made with ground meat and tomato sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Mostaccioli pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage (hot Italian sausage) or any ground meat
- 24 ounce Marinara sauce 1 jar
- 2 cups shredded fresh Mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded fresh Parmesan cheese
- 15 ounce Ricotta cheese
- ½ cup diced onion
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon Oregano
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 large Egg
- Fresh parsley garnish
- Italian seasoning for meat
- Salt and pepper for meat
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Boil the mostaccioli noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside with pasta still in the pot.
- Season your meat with black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning for more flavor
- In a large skillet, add the diced onion, garlic, and sausage.
- Cook the sausage over medium heat until it is no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
- Next, mix in the marinara sauce with the sausage and let simmer for 3-4 minutes
- Transfer the meat sauce mixture to the pot of the drained pasta and mix.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the egg, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and oregano. Mix together until combined.
- Pour half of the pasta into the prepared baking dish. Spread all of the ricotta mixture over the top of the pasta and spread evenly.
- Pour the other half of the pasta mixture on top and sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes
- Remove aluminum foil and bake for 10 additional minutes until cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with parsley leaves if desired. Serve warm. Enjoy!
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