Description
The Cheesy Baked Mostaccioli is a warm hug in food form. Its gooey cheesiness, flavorful meat sauce, and tender pasta come together to create a dining experience that comforts and indulges.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz mostaccioli pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Don’t forget to salt the water generously before adding the mostaccioli. Cook the pasta for about 8-10 minutes until it’s al dente, then drain and return to the pot. Drizzle olive oil over the pasta to prevent sticking.
- In a skillet, heat over medium, add ground beef or sausage. Cook until browned, then add onion and garlic. Sauté until onion is translucent. Stir in marinara, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cooked mostaccioli with meat sauce, 1 cup mozzarella, and ½ cup Parmesan; mix well.
- Grease a baking dish, transfer pasta mixture, top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake in preheated oven at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let cool for 5 minutes, serve warm, and enjoy!
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for the best flavor. This dish freezes well; prep it ahead of time and bake when needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Protein: 25 g