Baked Mostaccioli

Easy to make baked Mostaccioli is a weeknight dinner recipe the whole family will love! Tender pasta is mixed with a hearty Italian meat sauce and topped with a decadent combination of creamy ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses.

Baked Mostaccioli Recipe

This situation is all too familiar – it’s a Tuesday night and your whole family is starving. You want something quick and easy that’s not from a drive-thru. What’s a hungry, tired parent to do? Make baked Mostaccioli, of course!

This super simple Italian baked pasta dish is loaded with flavor, plenty of cheese, and protein to keep you nice and full. It has everything I love about a good pasta dinner! The Mostaccioli itself is tender and grips the sauce perfectly, while the cheeses and robust meat sauce create an irresistibly savory flavor.

Why You’ll Love this Pasta Bake Recipe:

CHEESY: The bubbly top layer of melted cheese draws you into this baked pasta dish and the middle layer of creamy ricotta cheese keeps you coming back for more.
HEARTY: Warm and cozy, mostaccioli is filled with a protein-packed meat sauce.
EASY: Yes! This baked pasta dinner is a cinch to make with simple ingredients and easy to follow instructions.

Is there anything more comforting than cheesy pasta with meat sauce? I don’t think so!

baked mostaccioli in casserole dish with cheese

How to Make Mostaccioli

Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!

Cook the pasta.
Make the meat sauce and mix it with the pasta.
Prepare the cheese filling.
Layer the baked pasta in a baking dish: pasta, filling, pasta.
Top with cheese and cover with foil.
Bake.

up close baked mostaccioli in casserole dish

What is mostaccioli?

Mostaccioli is a type of pasta similar to penne with a smooth surface instead of ridges.

How is baked mostaccioli different from baked spaghetti?

While baked mostaccioli and baked spaghetti are made with similar ingredients, the differences are the types of noodles used and the middle layer of creamy ricotta cheese in the mostaccioli!

Can I make a vegetarian version of this mostaccioli recipe?

Absolutely! Substitute the ground beef with a plant-based alternative or simply skip the meat entirely and use a plain marinara sauce.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You sure can! 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.

What is the best way to freeze mostaccioli?

Once baked, this dish will stay fresh in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions

When serving a hearty main course like this, I like to offer fresher side dishes to keep things a little lighter. A couple of my favorites are:

Whether you keep things light and fresh with a side dish or enjoy mostaccioli by itself, you’re going to love this easy dinner.

Tips!

To avoid mushy pasta, cook the mostaccioli until al dente. If it’s overcooked to begin with, it will be mushy once baked.
Add some crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce to add a little spice!
Don’t forget to uncover the pan for the last 10 minutes of bake time! This helps make sure the cheesy top is golden brown and bubbly.

What pan should I use for baked mostaccioli?

A 3-quart or 9×13-inch baking dish is perfect for making baked mostaccioli.

Can I use a different kind of meat in the sauce?

Absolutely! Ground pork, chicken, or turkey will all do the trick.

Can I use homemade marinara sauce?

You most certainly can, and it’s delicious! Use my tried and true Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe to enhance this baked pasta even more.

More Easy Dinner Recipes We Love

Cheesy, warm, and loaded with a robust meat sauce. There’s so much to love about easy to make baked mostaccioli!

More Cozy Baked Pasta Recipes to Try:

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!

Mostaccioli Recipe

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Bake Time 40 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings

Calories 642kcal

Author Becky Hardin – The Cookie Rookie

Ingredients

1 pound mostaccioli pasta
1 pound Italian sausage
½ cup diced onion
3 cloves garlic minced
24 ounces marinara sauce 1 jar
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 large egg lightly beaten
½ teaspoon oregano
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese divided
Freshly chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Boil mostaccioli noodles to al dente according to package directions, then drain and rinse under cool water. Return the pasta to the empty pot.

1 pound mostaccioli pasta
In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, brown the Italian sausage, onion, and garlic until cooked through.

1 pound Italian sausage, ½ cup diced onion, 3 cloves garlic
Add the marinara sauce and stir, simmering for 3-4 minutes.

24 ounces marinara sauce
Pour the meat sauce into the pot of pasta and mix well.
In a large bowl, combine the egg, ricotta cheese, oregano, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.

15 ounces ricotta cheese, 1 large egg, ½ teaspoon oregano, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Place half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Spread the ricotta mixture evenly across the pasta, then top with the remaining pasta mixture. Sprinkle the remaining cheeses on top.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the aluminum foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and serve.

Freshly chopped parsley