Ingredients
1 pound Mostaccioli pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
1 (24-ounce) jar of your favorite marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Preheat the Oven: Set it to 375°F (190°C) to get ready for the magic to happen.
Pasta Prep: Boil Mostaccioli in salted water until al dente, then drain.
Sauté: In a skillet, heat olive oil and cook the onion and garlic until soft.
Brown the Meat: Add your choice of meat to the skillet, cooking until no pink remains. Drain any excess fat.
Simmer the Sauce: Add the marinara sauce to the meat, letting the flavors blend for a few minutes.
Combine: Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, half the mozzarella, and half the Parmesan.
Bake: Transfer to a baking dish, top with the remaining cheese, and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Bake for 25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Rest and Serve: Let the dish cool slightly before serving, garnished with fresh basil if desired.
Variations & Tips:
Lighten it up with ground turkey and part-skim cheese.
Try roasted veggies for extra taste and nutrients.
Prepare ahead of time for a simple supper that can even be frozen for later evenings.
Allowing the dish to rest after baking enables optimal serving and flavor integration.
Leftovers reheat wonderfully, providing a great reprise from the night before.
Baked Mostaccioli is more than simply a dinner; it exemplifies the joy of simple, delicious cuisine enjoyed with loved ones. Dive into this meal and let the cozy hug and exquisite tastes transport you to Italy.
Recipe Card
My Italian neighbor showed me this dish, and we knew we had to snag the recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 pound Mostaccioli pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 24-ounce jar of your favorite marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set it to 375°F (190°C) to get ready for the magic to happen.
- Pasta Prep: Boil Mostaccioli in salted water until al dente, then drain.
- Sauté: In a skillet, heat olive oil and cook the onion and garlic until soft.
- Brown the Meat: Add your choice of meat to the skillet, cooking until no pink remains. Drain any excess fat.
- Simmer the Sauce: Add the marinara sauce to the meat, letting the flavors blend for a few minutes.
- Combine: Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, half the mozzarella, and half the Parmesan.
- Bake: Transfer to a baking dish, top with the remaining cheese, and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Bake for 25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dish cool slightly before serving, garnished with fresh basil if desired.