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baked mostaccioli
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baked mostaccioli

Baked Mostaccioli is a hearty, satisfying pasta bake loaded with rich tomato sauce, tender noodles, and layers of melted cheese. It's everything you love about Italian-American comfort food: cheesy, saucy, and baked until bubbling and golden. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or feeding a hungry crowd, this baked pasta dish brings cozy, old-school flavor to the table in under an hour.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: dinner
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb mostaccioli pasta
  • 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 jar 24 oz marinara or pasta sauce
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the mostaccioli according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
  3. Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. In a large mixing bowl or the pot used to boil pasta, combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce. Stir until evenly coated.
  5. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, layer half the pasta mixture, dollop with half the ricotta, and sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
  6. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired.

Notes

  • Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze tightly covered for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat: Bake covered at 350°F until heated through, or microwave individual servings.