What’s in this Mostaccioli recipe?
I’ve made sure this baked pasta recipe is an Italian classic that’s quick to prep and easy to make. With all that cheese, even my kids love it every time!
Mostaccioli Pasta: Mostaccioli noodles are a smooth, tubular pasta. You can substitute penne or ziti noodles if needed. Be sure boil the pasta before adding it into the baking dish. Italian Sausage: This is an herb-y pork sausage that adds great flavor into the pasta sauce. Marinara Sauce: Use a jar of your favorite sauce, or make this homemade marinara sauce. Ricotta Cheese: The flavor and texture of ricotta is perfect for baked mostaccioli. Cheese: Use a mix of Parmesan and Mozzarella. Freshly shredded cheese melts best. Egg: Mixing in an egg helps bind ingredients together for a better texture and fully coated noodles. Onion & Garlic: Sauteing onion and garlic along with the sausage adds more flavor. Oregano: A little bit of Oregano adds some herb-y flavor. You can also use an Italian seasoning blend.
Try adding some crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce to add a little spice!
Can I use a different kind of meat in the sauce?
Absolutely! Italian sausage is so juicy and well-seasoned, so I love it in this recipe. But you can just as easily swap it out for ground beef, pork, chicken, or turkey. Follow the same instructions to brown the meat before adding it into the casserole. I’ve also turned this into a vegetarian-friendly mostaccioli by skipping the meat altogether, or using a plant-based meat crumble.
How to Make Ahead
To make baked mostaccioli ahead of time, make the recipe through step 8, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake it, pop it in the oven and bake accordingly. It might need a couple extra minutes in the oven as it will be cold when it goes into the oven. To store leftovers, place pasta in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
How to Freeze
Let the baked pasta cool to room temperature, then transfer it into freezer-safe containers. Keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Serving Ideas
I find that this easily can be served as a full meal on its own, but when I need an extra side or two, I love to serve it with copycat Olive Garden breadsticks and chicken Caesar salad. When I find its a night where we need some veggies, I’ll quickly roast vegetables in the Air Fryer or make cheesy roasted zucchini.
More Cozy Baked Pasta Recipes We Love:
Baked Ziti Cheesy Baked Gnocchi Baked Spaghetti Mexican Baked Mac and Cheese Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Baked Pasta Primavera Lobster Mac and Cheese Baked Feta Pasta See all of our Pasta Recipes!
