Mostaccioli is a tubular pasta (in the shape sense rather than the slang sense, but it is pretty awesome), similar to penne. So it’s equally excellent for carrying sweet, bright, savory tomato sauce straight to your taste buds. Easy Baked Mostaccioli serves up a deliciously luscious, creamy sauce, topped with melty, browned cheese and filled with beef. Easy Baked Mostaccioli is perfect for Sunday dinner with the family, as it has that hours-long-slow-cooked taste in just a fraction of the time!
Ingredients
- 1 (12-ounce) box mostaccioli pasta
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (25-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or casserole pan.
Step 3 –Cook the mostaccioli pasta according to the package directions, until very al dente.
Step 4 –While the pasta cooks, in a large saucepan on the stove-top over medium heat, add the beef and onion.
Step 5 –Saute until the beef is browned, about 6 minutes.
Step 6 –Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 7 –Drain the pan of fat.
Step 8 –Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, water, Italian seasoning, and sugar, and let simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 9 –Stir in the heavy cream and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Step 10 –Spread 1 cup of the sauce mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 11 –Layer half of the cooked pasta on top of the sauce in the baking dish.
Step 12 –Add half of the remaining sauce to the baking dish.
Step 13 –Add the remaining pasta to the baking dish in an even layer.
Step 14 –Top with the remaining sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan.
Step 15 –Bake until hot and the cheese is lightly browned, for about 25-30 minutes.
Step 16 –Serve.
