The Perfect Baked Mostaccioli Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Baked mostaccioli enhances ordinary pasta nights into extraordinary culinary experiences that spark instant family joy.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a symphony of robust flavors dancing across your plate.

Classic Italian-American comfort emerges through perfectly layered components that tell a delicious story.

Rich marinara weaves through tender pasta, while melted cheese creates irresistible golden landscapes of pure satisfaction.

Seasoned ground meat adds substantial depth, elevating this dish beyond simple weeknight fare.

Home cooks appreciate its straightforward preparation that delivers maximum deliciousness with minimal kitchen effort.

Your dinner table will sparkle with warmth and connection around this crowd-pleasing masterpiece.

Why Mostaccioli Is the Ultimate Family Favorite

• Craft Comfort in One Dish: Baked mostaccioli delivers ultimate home-style comfort with its hearty blend of pasta, meat, and melted cheese, creating a satisfying meal that wraps you in warmth.
• Master Quick Weeknight Cooking: This recipe simplifies dinner preparation with straightforward steps, taking just about 45 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy families craving delicious home-cooked meals.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: Easily adapt the dish by switching ground meat, experimenting with different cheese blends, or adding extra vegetables, making it a versatile recipe that accommodates personal taste preferences and dietary needs.

What You Need for a Bubbly, Cheesy Bake

• Mostaccioli: Classic tube-shaped pasta perfect for holding rich sauce and absorbing flavors. Choose medium-sized pasta with ridged exterior for best sauce adherence.
• Ground Meat: Provides protein and hearty texture to the dish. Lean ground beef or a mix of beef and pork works best for balanced flavor.
• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy mozzarella melts beautifully, while parmesan adds sharp tangy notes. Select fresh, high-quality cheeses for optimal taste.
• Marinara Sauce: Classic tomato-based sauce that brings rich, traditional Italian flavor. Choose a high-quality prepared sauce or homemade version.
• Onion, Garlic: Foundational ingredients that build deep savory base for the dish. Select fresh, firm produce for maximum flavor.
• Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasoning: Essential for enhancing overall dish flavor. Use freshly ground black pepper and dried Italian herb blend for authentic taste.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients and adds subtle Mediterranean flavor. Choose extra virgin olive oil for best quality.

How to Make the Best Baked Pasta with Ease

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.

Step 2: Cook Pasta

Boil salted water in a large pot. Add mostaccioli and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain pasta and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Meat Mixture

• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic

Sauté until onions turn translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add ground meat and cook until browned, approximately 6-8 minutes. Drain excess grease.

Step 4: Create Sauce

Stir marinara sauce into the meat mixture. Simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Combine Pasta And Meat Sauce

• Shredded mozzarella
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Step 6: Assemble The Dish

• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Italian seasoning

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Look for bubbling cheese and golden brown edges.

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

Remove from oven and let rest briefly. Optional: Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Tips for Sauce That Coats Every Bite

• Choose the Right Pasta: Select mostaccioli with ridges to help sauce cling better, ensuring maximum flavor in every bite.
• Master Meat Browning: Drain excess fat after cooking ground meat to prevent a greasy dish and maintain a rich, clean taste.
• Cheese Layering Technique: Mix some cheese into the pasta before baking and reserve some for topping to create delicious cheesy layers and a golden-brown crust.
• Season Strategically: Taste and adjust seasoning in meat sauce before combining with pasta to ensure balanced flavor throughout the entire dish.
• Resting is Key: Allow the baked mostaccioli to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from oven, which helps the dish set and makes serving easier without falling apart.

How to Store and Reheat Without a Dry Bite

• Refrigeration: Carefully transfer cooled baked mostaccioli into an airtight container or tightly sealed storage dish. Refrigerate within two hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth. Stored properly, leftovers will keep well for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing: Wrap portions individually in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil for optimal preservation. Frozen mostaccioli can last up to 3 months without losing significant flavor or texture. Label containers with the date to track storage time.
• Reheating: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) for best results. Place pasta in an oven-safe dish, sprinkle a few tablespoons of water or extra marinara sauce to prevent drying out.

What to Plate Alongside This Pasta Classic

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Complement the hearty meat and rich cheese flavors with a full-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese, which cuts through the dish's richness and enhances its savory undertones.
• Serve with Crispy Garlic Bread: Create a perfect side that soaks up extra marinara sauce and provides a delightful crunchy texture contrast to the creamy, soft pasta bake.
• Add Fresh Herb Salad: Toss a light green salad with arugula, fresh basil, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's heaviness and introduce a bright, refreshing element to the meal.
• Cool Down with Chilled Pinot Grigio: Offer a crisp white wine option for those preferring a lighter drink that still matches the pasta's Italian-inspired profile and cleanses the palate between bites.

Flavor Ideas for a Bolder Baked Dish

• Spicy Chorizo Mostaccioli: Replace ground meat with spicy Mexican chorizo sausage for a bold, zesty flavor profile that kicks up the heat and adds exciting texture to the classic dish.
• Vegetarian Garden Pasta: Swap meat for roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant, using plant-based marinara sauce to create a hearty, nutritious alternative that's packed with garden-fresh goodness.
• Mediterranean Fusion Mostaccioli: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, and fresh spinach into the recipe, introducing Mediterranean ingredients that transform the traditional pasta bake with bright, tangy notes.
• Creamy Mushroom Mostaccioli: Mix in sautéed wild mushrooms and a splash of heavy cream to create a rich, earthy version that adds depth and luxurious complexity to the original recipe.

Baked Mostaccioli Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Baked Mostaccioli delivers classic Italian comfort with hearty pasta, rich marinara, and melted cheese layers. Pasta lovers will savor this satisfying casserole that brings warmth and depth to family dinner tables.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) mostaccioli pasta (uncooked)
• 1 pound (454 grams) ground meat (beef or Italian sausage)
• 24 ounces (680 grams) marinara sauce

Cheese and Dairy:

• 2 cups (226 grams) mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup (100 grams) Parmesan cheese (grated, divided)

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil (for sautéing)
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) Italian seasoning
• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)
• Fresh basil (for garnish, optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and coat a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Add mostaccioli pasta and cook until perfectly tender yet firm, approximately 8-10 minutes, following package instructions. Thoroughly drain the pasta and set aside.
3. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until the onions become translucent and fragrant, typically 3-4 minutes.
4. Introduce ground meat to the skillet, browning thoroughly and breaking into small crumbles. Cook for 6-8 minutes, ensuring no pink remains. Carefully drain excess fat from the pan.
5. Pour marinara sauce into the meat mixture, stirring to combine. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
6. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce. Gently fold in of shredded mozzarella cheese and of grated Parmesan cheese, ensuring even distribution.
7. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Generously top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle Italian seasoning over the surface for an extra flavor boost.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely and develops a golden-brown, slightly crispy top with bubbling edges.
9. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5-7 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, then serve hot and enjoy the comforting, cheesy pasta dish.

Notes

• Cooking this dish transforms ordinary ingredients into a comforting family favorite with minimal kitchen stress.
• Pasta absorbs rich meat sauce beautifully, creating layers of incredible flavor in every single bite.
• Cheese melts into golden, crispy edges that make everyone at the table crave seconds immediately.
• Preparing ahead works wonderfully – refrigerate assembled casserole and bake when ready to serve hot meals.
• Leftover portions reheat perfectly in microwave or oven, maintaining delicious taste and texture for quick future meals.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking, Boiling, Sautéing, Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 577 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 788 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 76 mg