Baked Mostaccioli
If you like pasta, you are going to love this Baked Mostaccioli recipe! Tender pasta baked in a rich Italian sausage marinara sauce and layered with melted cheese makes this baked mostaccioli a hearty and comforting classic. The savory sausage adds deep flavor while the bubbling cheese creates a golden, irresistible finish.
If you love baked pasta, you must try this amazing Poblano Mac and Cheese recipe. The poblano adds a hint of spiciness to the creamy mac and cheese.
Yes! If you don’t have mostaccioli pasta, you can easily substitute another short, sturdy pasta shape that holds up well to sauce and baking. Penne, rigatoni, ziti, or mezze penne are all great choices. For best results, cook the pasta just until al dente, so it doesn’t become too soft as the Mostaccioli bakes.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Can be made in under an hour
- Easy recipe to make changes or add to if you like
- Comfy, cheesy and delicious
- Can be prepared in advance
- Love a baked pasta meal
Ingredients for Baked Mostaccioli
Simple ingredients, but the flavor, it is delicious!!
Ingredients
Mostaccioli pasta – If you can’t find Mostaccioli pasta, you can use penne.
Italian sausage – If you buy Italian sausage in the casing, you will need to remove the casings before cooking. Can I use spicy Italian sausage? Yes, if you love a little heat with your pasta, spicy sausage will add extra heat and flavor.
Kosher salt – Always use Kosher salt for cooking.
Black pepper – Use fresh ground pepper if you can.
Italian seasoning – I like to use the Italian seasoning blend, but you can make your own if you like.
Red pepper flakes – This is optional, but I like the hint of spiciness this adds to the recipe.
Garlic cloves – Freshly minced garlic is best, but you can use jarred garlic also.
Jar of marinara sauce – Use a good quality store-bought sauce.
Mozzarella & Parmesan cheese – Grate your own cheese; the pre-shredded cheeses contain ingredients you don’t want in your recipes.
Fresh parsley – Chopped parsley adds a nice finishing touch to the dish.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes, sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach work well.
How to Make Baked Mostaccioli
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the mostaccioli according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked.
Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, if using. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Stir in the marinara sauce and cooked pasta until evenly coated.
Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella and half of the Parmesan cheese.
Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.
Little Chef’s Secrets
- Cook pasta just until al dente since it continues cooking in the oven.
- Italian sausage already contains seasoning, so adjust salt carefully.
Brown the sausage well for deeper flavor. - Mix pasta thoroughly with sauce to avoid dry spots.
- Layer cheese for even melting throughout the dish.
- Let the pasta rest before serving so it sets properly.
- Cover loosely with foil if the cheese browns too quickly.
- Taste the sauce before assembling and adjust seasoning if needed.
Pin it HERE!!
Pin it HERE!!
Baked Mostaccioli Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound mostaccioli pasta or penne
- 1 pound Italian sausage casings removed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 marinara sauce 24 ounce jar
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley optional
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked.
- Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, if using. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and cooked pasta until evenly coated.
- Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella and half of the Parmesan cheese.
- Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.
