Description
Hearty Baked Mostaccioli blends Italian comfort with homestyle warmth, promising a rich pasta experience that delights family gatherings. Layers of tender pasta, robust marinara, and melted cheeses create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) mostaccioli pasta
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 (24 ounces/680 grams) jar marinara sauce
Cheese:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coat a rectangular casserole dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Cook mostaccioli pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, following package timing. Carefully drain pasta in a colander, shaking to remove excess water.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking meat into small crumbles. Season with Italian herbs, cracked black pepper, and kosher salt while cooking.
- Pour marinara sauce into the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly to create a rich, cohesive sauce. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to meld flavors.
- Transfer cooked pasta into the meat sauce, gently folding until noodles are completely coated with the robust sauce.
- Spread the pasta and meat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, creating a smooth surface.
- Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese across the entire top layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese becomes golden and slightly crispy around edges.
Notes
- Customize the meat sauce by swapping ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier version.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like adding provolone or fontina for extra depth of flavor and creamy texture.
- Make this dish ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, which allows flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Boost nutrition by mixing in roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach during the pasta and sauce combination step.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 655 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 530 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg