Baked Mostaccioli combines Italian sausage, peppers, garlic, onions, and marinara, all blanketed in mozzarella and provolone cheese. It is the ultimate easy comfort food meal, family-friendly and guaranteed to please!
This baked pasta is a hearty meal by itself, but I like to serve it with triple cheese garlic bread and Italian salad for a complete, company-worthy meal.
The Ultimate Baked Mostaccioli
This is not your lunch ladies’ mostaccioli—or your wedding day mostaccioli. This delicious baked mostaccioli contains layers of fresh Italian sausage, sweet onions, minced garlic, and marinara. It is then topped with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
Baked Mostaccioli can be prepped in advance, loaded in the refrigerator, and baked at the optimum time. We are one pasta-loving family. Pasta is so easy, comforting, and darn delicious every time. If you like this recipe, try chicken tortellini alfredo, spaghetti and meatballs, beefaroni, and cheese stuffed manicotti.
How to make Baked Mostaccioli
First, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook your mostaccioli noodles al dente according to package instructions and drain well. Meanwhile, brown the sausage in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. When about halfway browned, add the green pepper and onions. Cook until the peppers and onions are soft. Reduce the heat and add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for one minute. Remove the pan from the heat and drain any excess grease.
Next, stir in the cooked sausage mixture, cooked pasta, and marinara. You can also transfer everything to a casserole dish. Then, top the pasta mixture with an even layer of grated Parmesan Cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes or until the cheese melts and lightly browns. If desired, garnish with chopped fresh Italian parsley.
What to Serve With Baked Mostaccioli
- Olive Garden copycat salad
- Garden salad
- No knead bread
- Minestrone soup
- Breadsticks
- Cabbage soup
- Vegetable soup
- Creamy cucumber tomato salad
Recipe Tips
- Cook the mostaccioli al dente, which means still somewhat firm. It will be baked with the sausage, veggies, and sauce. Don’t overcook it.
- Use good quality Italian sausage. Most butcher shops make their own, which tastes much better than processed sausage with all the preservatives.
- Grate and shred your cheese fresh from the block. That way, you will not have preservatives, added enzymes, and cellulose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Substitute ground beef, ground turkey, or ground pork for the Italian sausage.
Other tubular pasta types to use include penne, ziti, or rigatoni.
More Pasta Recipes
Baked Mostaccioli Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces mostaccioli pasta
- 1 lb bulk Italian sausage
- 1 large green pepper seeded veined and chopped
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4-5 cups marinara sauce or tomato sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the mostaccioli noodles al dente according to package instructions and drain well.
- Brown sausage in a skillet on medium heat. Remove sausage to plate; cover and keep warm.
- Add peppers and onions to the same skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until the edges of the onions start to brown. Add garlic and cook for 1 additional minute. Remove from heat.
- Combine the cooked sausage mixture, cooked mostaccioli, and marinara in a large baking dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Sprinkle with mozzarella, and parmesan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and started to brown just a touch. If desired garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Ashley
Family loved it! Will definitely make it again.
Jessica Formicola
This is my absolute favorite mostaccioli recipe! We make it all the time and it’s definitely a family favorite around here!
Denay DeGuzman
We just enjoyed this baked mostaccioli for dinner. It was so darn good! I was hoping for leftovers, but no such luck. This recipe’s a keeper!
Jamie
Hello there, how soon in advance can you make this dish? A day a couple days?
Beth Pierce
Up to 2 days in advance. I would do a few things to make sure it is delicious. Cook the pasta slightly al dente, add a little extra sauce since pasta tries to soak up sauce when sitting, leave the cheese off until ready to bake and if the pasta portion looks dry add 1/2 cup of water and then add the cheese. Also take the casserole out of the fridge about 40 minutes before baking to bring it to room temperature.
Debby
Quick question, you mentioned that you can make this ahead of time. I’m wondering if I can make this the day before and then bake it? Would I need to add more sauce since pasta seems to absorb? Thanks in advance!
Beth Pierce
Yes I would add a little more sauce and make sure you do not overcook the pasta. Happy cooking and have a fabulous weekend!
Roberta Abdel-kerim
Perfect for a Potluck too! This makes a huge amount and you’re gonna need it cause it tastes amazing! I cheated on the cheeses – I just grabbed a package Of Italian cheese blend added the Parmesan and it was awesome! Last 15 minutes I threw in a loaf of garlic bread – cut it into strips and it was a perfect potluck crowd pleaser!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Roberta! So glad that everyone liked it. You are correct perfect pot luck meal!
Gabi
For the pepper, is this a green bell pepper ?
Beth Pierce
Sorry Gabi! Yes it is a green bell pepper!
Jon
This was a wonderful dish!! I used hamburger instead of sausage
Beth Pierce
Thank you! So glad that you liked it!
lauren kelly
This is the most perfect comfort food! LOVE it!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Lauren!
Jenni
My family loved it! A new favorite for weeknights!
Trang
I’ve never heard of mostaccioli and will definitely try this!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much! I hope you like it!
Becky Hardin
This is an amazing dish! Love everything about it.
Kristyn
Oh, my, this looks so good!! We love pasta at our house, so I will be adding this to the menu!
Barbara
Can anyone confirm the size of pan this fits in? I am guessing a 9 x 13?
Beth Pierce
Sorry about the delay. Yes that is a 9 x 13.
Cecilia Harvard
This looks absolutely scrumptious! I am a big Italian food lover and have this pinned and saved for next weeks menu!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Cecilia! I hope you love it as much as we do!
Criselle
This came right on time. I’ve been craving for pasta lately. I’ll have to make this one for the weekend. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure Criselle! I sure hope you enjoy it!!