Simple Baked Mostaccioli

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Simple Baked Mostaccioli, a crowd-pleasing pasta bake that’s as easy to prepare as it is to devour. Featuring tender mostaccioli pasta tossed in a hearty marinara sauce loaded with savory ground beef, garlic, and aromatic Italian seasoning, this recipe is layered with creamy ricotta and a gooey blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Baked to golden, bubbly perfection, it’s a deliciously rich and satisfying dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings. Ready in under an hour and serving six, this baked pasta recipe pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. Whether you're seeking a simple yet hearty dinner or a shareable comfort food classic, this dish hits all the right notes.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz mostaccioli pasta
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a small amount of olive oil or cooking spray.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the mostaccioli pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat, if necessary.

Step 6

Stir the marinara sauce into the skillet with the cooked beef mixture. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 8

Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Step 9

Dollop the ricotta cheese evenly over the layer of pasta. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Step 10

Spread the remaining pasta and sauce mixture over the cheese layer. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 11

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 12

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly with golden brown edges.

Step 13

Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Simple Baked Mostaccioli!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2266.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3398.1

Total Fat 194.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 95.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 692.5mg	0%
Sodium 6657.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 200.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.3g	0%
Total Sugars 24.0g
Protein 226.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3683.7mg	0%
Iron 15.8mg	0%
Potassium 1749.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.7%

Protein: 26.2%

Carbs: 23.2%