Description
Baked Mostaccioli is the ultimate Italian-American comfort food, featuring tender pasta layered with a hearty meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted cheese. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, this baked pasta dish is customizable, crowd-pleasing, and irresistibly delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 pound mostaccioli pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook mostaccioli according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned.
- Add diced onion and garlic; cook until onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
- Stir in marinara sauce, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
- Season with Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Assemble the Dish:
- Mix cooked pasta with the meat sauce. Spread half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add a layer of ricotta, spreading evenly, followed by half the mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Top with the remaining pasta mixture and finish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake:
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Let rest for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with parsley, if desired, and serve.
Notes
- Substitute cottage cheese or mascarpone for ricotta if preferred.
- Add extra vegetables like spinach, kale, or bell peppers for more nutrients.
- For a spicier dish, use spicy Italian sausage and add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
