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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Deb
This baked mostaccioli is so easy, delicious, and hearty. Perfect for my growning family and picky eaters. Thanks for the recipe, Beth. I will make it again.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Deb! So glad that you liked it!
Bryan Carey
This is perfect for a meal all by itself, since most every food group is covered. I usually need to make a side serving that is meat free, for my vegetarian daughter. But that can easily be done with a food dish such as this.
Stephanie
Oh I can’t wait to give this a try! I’ll have to omit the green peppers as my oldest son won’t touch anything with those in it, but the rest is perfect for my family.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! Enjoy!
Maureen
You have the most amazing recipes! My family loves pasta and this was a great way to try something different than our usual spaghetti or lasagna. I love how easy it was to make and we are are big fans of Italian sausages. Yum yum!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Maureen! I am so glad that you liked the baked mostaccioli!
Stephanie
This is one of those dishes I am sure I will make often – especially this winter. It is so simple to put together early in the day, pop in the oven and I have a tasty meal for the family.
Monica
This is delicious, hearty, and easy to make. I real winner with my kids. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Beth.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Monica! I am so glad that the kids enjoyed it.
Richard
Great baked mostaccioli recipe! My wife and I love it and we will make it again soon. Thank you!
Edgar
This dish is great for feeding my boys. They are hearty eaters and with a garden salad it really fills them up. Thanks for the recipe. We make this frequently.
Jack
We loved this pasta dish! It reminded us of the baked mostaccioli my mother made years ago. Thanks for the delicious blast from the past!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Jack!
Marysa
I am not familiar with mostaccioli noodles. This sounds like a great recipe – so easy to make and nice and filling. I’m sure this would be a crowd pleaser in our house.
Sonya
I served it up with Italian salad and everyone loved it. I will make it again soon. Maybe as soon as next week since the family is bugging me about it.
Gerry
Love this! So cheesy and delicious! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Jerry!
Bethany
oh my God, that looks so yummy. with these easy steps, I will give it a try during the weekend
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Bethany! Enjoy!
Stephanie
We are a big pasta family as well and this sounds amazing! It’s like my baked ziti but with so much more in it.
Debbie
This baked mostaccioli was the perfect weeknight meal. It was easy, hearty, and delicious. A new family favorite.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Debbie! So glad that you liked the mostaccioli dish.
Claudia
This looks amazing! I’m low carb, so I’ll be using keto noodles, but I know I’m going to eat my weight in this!