5.0 from 300 votes
Easy Baked Mostaccioli
This creamy pasta dish is budget-friendly and so easy to prepare. It's perfect to feed a crowd or for a quick weeknight meal!
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 523 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine:
Italian , American
Ingredients
- 12 ounces mostaccioli or penne
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 28 ounces marinara sauce
- 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juices
- ½ cup water
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese about 8 oz
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted water until al dente. Do not overcook.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan brown ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
- Add the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, water, Italian seasoning, and sugar. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Add the heavy cream, stir, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes or until thickened. Taste and season with salt and black pepper if desired.
- Add 1 cup of sauce to the bottom of the prepared dish. Add half of the cooked pasta and top with half of the remaining sauce.
- Add the remaining pasta and top with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until hot and the cheese is lightly browned.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Do not overcook the pasta as it will cook more in the oven.
- Replace the ground beef with Italian sausage or your favorite ground meat.
- For a vegetarian meal, replace the beef with 3 cups of finely chopped vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and/or eggplant. Cook in olive oil until tender before adding the sauce.
- Make Ahead: Prepare as directed and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking. Bake for 45 minutes in a preheated oven.
- Freeze: Wrap in plastic and aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed, adding up to 10 minutes of additional cooking time if needed.
- Cook From Frozen: Remove the plastic wrap, cover it with aluminum foil, and place the casserole dish in the oven as you preheat it. Bake for 45 minutes and then remove the foil and bake an additional 20-30 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Calories
523
(26%)
Carbohydrates
44g
(15%)
Protein
26g
(52%)
Fat
28g
(43%)
Saturated Fat
15g
(75%)
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
104mg
(35%)
Sodium
870mg
(36%)
Potassium
767mg
(22%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
1146IU
(23%)
Vitamin C
13mg
(14%)
Calcium
256mg
(26%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 523
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 523 | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 44g | 15% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 104mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 870mg | 36% |
| Potassium | 767mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 1146IU | 23% |
| Vitamin C | 13mg | 14% |
| Calcium | 256mg | 26% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.