Description
A delicious baked mostaccioli dish with a cheesy twist, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces mostaccioli pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the mostaccioli pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the ground beef or sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked mostaccioli, meat sauce mixture, and ricotta cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top. Layer the remaining pasta mixture and top with the remaining cheeses.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or a mix of your favorite vegetables.
- Add a layer of spinach or kale for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg