Description
A comforting family recipe for Mostaccioli pasta baked with a rich tomato sauce and topped with melted cheese, perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Mostaccioli pasta
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 lb Ground meat (Italian sausage or beef, or plant-based alternative)
- 24 oz Tomato sauce
- 2 cups Cheese (mozzarella, parmesan, or a blend)
- Fresh herbs (basil and oregano) to taste
Instructions
- Cook Mostaccioli pasta in a large pot of salty boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add ground meat to the skillet, breaking it apart, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and bring it to a simmer, cooking for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
- Gently fold in the drained Mostaccioli pasta to the sauce mixture.
- Transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle with cheese and fresh herbs.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For added flavor, toss in sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers. Customize with different pasta or substitutions as needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Mostaccioli, pasta, family recipe, comfort food, Italian cuisine