Description
Homemade baked mostaccioli brings rich Italian comfort straight to your dinner table with layers of hearty pasta, zesty marinara, and melted cheese. Cheese-loving families will savor each comforting bite of this classic Mediterranean-inspired casserole that promises warmth and satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 pound (454 grams) mostaccioli pasta
Meat and Aromatics:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Cheese:
- 1 (24-ounce/680 grams) jar marinara sauce
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375F (190C), preparing a spacious baking dish for the upcoming culinary creation.
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge the Mostaccioli pasta, cooking until tender yet firm, then drain thoroughly.
- In a substantial skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat. Introduce chopped onions, sautéing until translucent and soft, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the onions, stirring rapidly to release aromatic oils without burning, about 1-2 minutes.
- Incorporate ground beef or Italian sausage into the skillet, breaking the meat into crumbly pieces. Cook until deeply browned and no pink remains, carefully eliminating excess grease.
- Pour marinara sauce into the meat mixture, blending thoroughly. Allow the sauce to simmer and meld flavors for 5 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance taste.
- Combine cooked pasta with the robust meat sauce in a spacious mixing bowl. Fold in half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, ensuring even distribution.
- Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer. Generously sprinkle remaining cheese across the surface and dust with Italian seasoning.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven, baking for 25 minutes until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Optional: Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a vibrant finishing touch before serving.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef or turkey to reduce fat content and create a lighter version of the dish.
- Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent sticking and ensure each noodle remains separate and coated with sauce.
- Customize the recipe by adding roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms for extra nutrition and flavor depth.
- Make it gluten-free by substituting regular mostaccioli with gluten-free pasta and checking marinara sauce ingredients for potential gluten-containing additives.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 659 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 97 mg