Description

This Baked Mostaccioli is a cheesy and satisfying pasta dish that’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Layers of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella make this recipe a comfort food classic. It’s easy to prepare and delivers a rich, flavorful meal that everyone will love. Pair it with garlic bread and a side salad for the ultimate Italian feast!

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound mostaccioli pasta
1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook mostaccioli pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce and mix well.
In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half of the pasta mixture. Evenly layer the ricotta cheese on top.
Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer, then add the remaining pasta mixture.
Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.

Notes

This Baked Mostaccioli is great for large gatherings and family meals. For a vegetarian option, simply omit the ground beef or sausage. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and reheated for a quick and satisfying meal.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes