Go Back

Best Homemade Baked Mostaccioli Recipe

This baked mostaccioli is a classic Italian-American comfort dish made with tender pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and layers of melted mozzarella. Perfect for family dinners, make-ahead meals, and entertaining.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 –8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lb ground beef 85/15
  • 1/2 lb sweet Italian sausage casings removed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 6 oz can tomato paste
For the Pasta & Assembly
  • 16 oz mostaccioli pasta or penne/ziti
  • 15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 16 oz mozzarella cheese shredded and divided

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pot. Cook onion until soft, 5–7 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add beef and sausage; brown completely.
  4. Drain excess fat. Stir in seasonings and toast for 30 seconds.
  5. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Simmer 30–60 minutes.
  6. Cook pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain.
  7. Mix ricotta, egg, 1/4 cup Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper.
  8. Toss pasta with 3 cups of meat sauce.
  9. Layer half the pasta in dish, dollop ricotta, add half mozzarella.
  10. Add remaining pasta, top with remaining sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
  11. Bake uncovered 25–30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  12. Rest 10–15 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley.

Notes

Undercook pasta slightly so it finishes perfectly in the oven. Let the casserole rest before slicing for clean servings.