This amazing dish is ready in less than an hour and is perfect for weeknight dinners for the whole family. Love a cozy baked pasta? Try this Ravioli Lasagna or this Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake next! During the cold months here in Manitoba, we have our own ways of staying warm. Life doesn’t slow down much here, even through piles of snow! Life carries on, so comforting foods like pasta bakes and one-pot meals are essential, and this Mostaccioli Pasta Bake is one of my favorites. Casserole pasta bake recipes like this make family dinners much easier. Baked Mostaccioli is easy to prepare fresh, but what’s even better is that it can be made days or months ahead of time and still taste delicious! If you like this Baked Mostaccioli Pasta, you will love my hearty Rigatoni Pasta Bake, this Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake, my take on Baked Ziti, and my favorite Easy Lasagna Recipe. Or go meatless and make my easy Cheese Cannelloni recipe! Don’t forget about my Healthier Mac and Cheese too for my lightened-up version of the classic dish that will satisfy even the pickiest eater!
Ingredients Needed:
For the Sauce
Sausage: I love using Italian sausage in this recipe because it’s packed with flavor! Use a mild Italian sausage if you prefer a bit less heat. Onion & Garlic: the classic combination of onion and fresh garlic will add a depth of savory flavor and also a slight sweetness as they caramelize. Italian Seasoning & Red Pepper Flakes: An Italian seasoning blend gives a great savory herbal flavor to this dish, while the red pepper flakes (optional) will give it a spicy kick! Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the brightest flavor, but you could substitute garlic powder as well. Salt and Pepper: Kosher salt and ground black pepper will enhance the flavors. Pasta Sauce: use your favorite tomato sauce as the base for your bake. Spinach: fresh spinach leaves add freshness and a pop of color to this dish.
Baked Mostaccioli
Pasta: I used Mostaccioli pasta (penne lisce), but you can use regular penne pasta or almost any short pasta you have on hand. Cheese: use a combination of mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan for a truly cheesy flavor and creamy texture. Egg: this binds and sets up the pasta when mixed with the cheeses and baked.
How to Make Baked Mostaccioli Pasta
This mostaccioli pasta recipe is super easy to make, and it tastes delicious! Full instructions are included in the recipe card below.
Tips and Notes
Salted water. For the best flavor, cook your mostaccioli pasta in a large pot of salted water as this will season it as it cooks. Check the package directions before you start. Go fresh. Use fresh cheese and fresh vegetables where you can. Pre-shredded cheeses (like mozzarella) will usually be coated in a floury substance to keep them from sticking together.
Baked Mostaccioli Variations
Veggies. Add some veggies to this bake for more nutrients. Mushrooms, zucchini, or red and green peppers would go well in this dish. Sausage: I love using Italian sausage as it is so flavorful, but you can use ground beef or ground turkey if you have it to hand instead. You can even use leftover Crockpot Shredded Chicken or cooked Ham. Spice it up. You can add some red pepper flakes or chili powder to the bake for some added heat.
Serving Suggestions
Baked Mostaccioli is a hearty dish, but you can make it go further by adding some sides. I love having bread with pasta, especially some freshly baked Garlic Bread, Garlic & Herb Dinner Rolls, or these Homemade Breadsticks. Add some veggies on the side, like this Air Fryer Broccoli, or these Roasted Green Beans for added goodness!
More Easy Dinner Recipes To Try
Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Bake
Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
Ravioli Lasagna
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