Looking for a hearty and comforting dish that’s easy to whip up?

This Easy Cheesy Italian Baked Mostaccioli is just what you need.

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With its layers of tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, and a generous topping of gooey melted cheese, it’s a family favorite that comes together in no time.

Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, this baked pasta dish delivers all the flavors of Italy with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Mostaccioli pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (your choice)
• 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• This will create that perfect, melty, cheesy finish on top!

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add the Mostaccioli and cook according to the package directions until it’s al dente – just firm enough to hold up in the oven.
• Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté the Veggies

• While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent – about 3-4 minutes.
• Enjoy that amazing aroma!

Step 4: Cook the Meat

• Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon.
• Cook until it’s browned and no longer pink, stirring occasionally.
• Drain any excess fat to keep the dish light and tasty.

Step 5: Add the Sauce

• Stir in the marinara sauce, letting it simmer for a few minutes to blend all those wonderful flavors.
• This step is key for a rich, flavorful sauce.

Step 6: Combine with Pasta

• In a large mixing bowl or the pot used for the pasta, combine the cooked Mostaccioli with the sauce mixture.
• Add half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan.
• Toss until every piece of pasta is coated in the cheesy, saucy mixture.

Step 7: Assemble for Baking

• Pour the pasta mixture into a 9″x13″ baking dish.
• Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
• Finish with a dash of Italian seasoning to boost the flavor.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

• Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and beginning to turn golden brown.

Step 9: Let it Rest and Serve

• Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes to set.
• Garnish with fresh basil, if desired, for a touch of color and extra flavor.
• Serve hot and enjoy!

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the Mostaccioli up to the baking step and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

What are some good substitutes for Mostaccioli pasta?

If you can’t find Mostaccioli, you can use any tubular pasta like penne or rigatoni. These types hold the sauce well and work perfectly for baking.

Easy Cheesy Italian Baked Mostaccioli

A simple, cheesy baked Mostaccioli recipe that combines tender pasta, flavorful marinara sauce, and a golden, bubbly cheese topping for an easy Italian comfort dish perfect for any night.

Print Pin Rate

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 3 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 lb Mostaccioli pasta
• ▢ 1 tbsp olive oil
• ▢ 1 medium onion chopped
• ▢ 2 garlic cloves minced
• ▢ 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (your choice)
• ▢ 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
• ▢ 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ▢ 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
• ▢ 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Get Your Oven Ready

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

   This will create that perfect, melty, cheesy finish on top!

Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

   Add the Mostaccioli and cook according to the package directions until it’s al dente – just firm enough to hold up in the oven.

   Drain and set aside.

Sauté the Veggies

1. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

   Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent – about 3-4 minutes.

   Enjoy that amazing aroma!

Cook the Meat

1. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon.

   Cook until it’s browned and no longer pink, stirring occasionally.

   Drain any excess fat to keep the dish light and tasty.

Add the Sauce

1. Stir in the marinara sauce, letting it simmer for a few minutes to blend all those wonderful flavors.

   This step is key for a rich, flavorful sauce.

Combine with Pasta

1. In a large mixing bowl or the pot used for the pasta, combine the cooked Mostaccioli with the sauce mixture.

   Add half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan.

   Toss until every piece of pasta is coated in the cheesy, saucy mixture.

Assemble for Baking

1. Pour the pasta mixture into a 9"x13" baking dish.

   Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.

   Finish with a dash of Italian seasoning to boost the flavor.

Bake to Perfection

1. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and beginning to turn golden brown.

Let it Rest and Serve

1. Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes to set.

   Garnish with fresh basil, if desired, for a touch of color and extra flavor.

   Serve hot and enjoy!

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