Easy Baked Mostaccioli is a classic Italian dish that takes very little effort to make, but has a ton of flavor! This comforting dish is a dinner staple!
Making this Italian meal during the week is perfect because it takes very little time, makes a lot of food (hello leftovers), and is exceptionally delicious. Customizing options for baked mostaccioli are endless as well because you can add tons of veggies, use different meats, or various cheeses. I love using my BEST EVER MARINARA SAUCE for this meal as well! This is a dish even the pickiest eater will enjoy!
Mostaccioli is a great main dish, or it could also be a side dish to delicious Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan! Serve it alongside The Best Ever Easy Garlic Bread and some Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts for the perfect meal!
Making this meal couldn't be easier! Let me explain how:
How to make Baked Mostaccioli:
**scroll down for full ingredients list and printable directions**
- Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook the pasta according to directions, keeping it al dente (do not overcook). Strain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, Make the sausage mixture. Place a larger skillet on the stovetop, add oil and heat over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook for 5 minutes while breaking apart with a spatula. Cook and sauté until mostly cooked through. Add chopped onion and minced garlic and cook for 3 more minutes while sautéing. Add seasonings and mix; sauté for 2 more minutes.
- Add strained pasta back to the pasta pot, then add the sausage mixture, half of the shredded cheese, and marinara sauce (I love this homemade recipe, but you can also use pre-made sauce); then mix to combine.
- Add the mixture to a greased oven-safe casserole dish, then top with the remaining cheeses and some additional dried oregano and basil.
- Place Mostaccioli in the oven and cook for 20 minutes. Switch the oven to broil, then broil for 3-5 minutes, watching closely so the cheese doesn't burn.
- Carefully remove. Top with fresh basil and then serve!
There are so many great sides to serve with Easy Baked Mostaccioli as well! These are my favorite sides:
- The Best Ever Easy Garlic Bread
- Simple Wedge Salad with Homemade Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing
- Sautéed Kale (easy healthy recipe)
- Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli (low calorie, low carb)
- Air Fryer Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
- Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Roasted Carrots (easy side dish)
Common questions:
Can I use different pasta shapes for Mostaccioli?
Yes- penne, rigatoni, ziti, farfalle, or elbow macaroni all work great for this recipe.
Can I use different meats in Mostaccioli? YES!
- Using ground beef or ground turkey would also be delicious.
- Try using chopped Italian sausage links.
- I think the ground Italian sausage gives the best flavor. Also, mix up the spice level by using different sausages such as mild, medium, or hot!
Can I make Mostaccioli vegetarian? YES!
- This Mostaccioli does not NEED meat! Leave out the meat and load this up with zucchini, mushrooms, spinach, and onions! Yum! This would be very similar to my popular Loaded Vegetable Pasta Bake!
Can I freeze Baked Mostaccioli? YES!
There are a few different ways to freeze this. Decide if you want to freeze after cooking, or before.
To freeze after cooking: First off, it will be easier to make this using an aluminum tray rather than a glass baking dish. Wait until the dish is completely cooled then cover well with a heavy duty foil and place in the freezer. To cook from frozen: Remove from freezer. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook COVERED for 90 minutes. Remove the foil and cook an additional 20 minutes.
To freeze before baking: Assemble the Mostaccioli and then cover tightly with foil. Place in the freezer. To cook from frozen: Remove from freezer. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook COVERED for 90 minutes. Remove the foil and cook an additional 20 minutes.
Do you like Italian recipes as much as we do? Checkout these other easy meals:
- Easy Italian Meatball Sliders
- Air Fryer Meatballs (homemade)
- Skinny Bruschetta Chicken (easy healthy meal)
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Loaded Veggie Cheesy Pasta Bake
- Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- Homemade Marinara Sauce
- Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli
Easy Baked Mostaccioli is a classic Italian dish that takes very little effort to make, but has a ton of flavor! This comforting dish is a dinner staple!
- 1 lb rigatoni or penne pasta noodles
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (medium spice)
- 28 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 8 ounce block mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
- ½ cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
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Cook pasta al dente (do no overcook) according to directions on the box. Strain pasta and add back to pasta pot, set aside.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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Place a large skillet on the stovetop, add oil and heat 30 seconds over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook for 5 minutes while breaking apart with a spatula. Sauté until mostly cooked through, about 2 more minutes. Slide sausage to the side of the skillet, add chopped onion, minced garlic, and seasonings and cook for 3 more minutes while sautéing. Remove from heat and set aside.
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Add the sausage mixture into the pot with the pasta, half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and marinara sauce; mix to combine.
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Add the mixture to a greased oven-safe casserole dish, then top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses and sprinkle a bit of additional dried oregano and basil.
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Place Mostaccioli in the oven and cook for 20 minutes. Switch the oven to broil, then broil for 3-5 minutes, watching closely so the cheese doesn’t burn. Carefully remove. Top with fresh basil and serve!
Recipe Video
First published in June 2020. Updated April 2023.
Beth says
This is perfect for dinner tonight! My family is going to devour this. I can’t wait to make this tonight!
Michelle says
Pleasantly surprised how delicious it was. Everyone ate it up with no complaints! Easy enough recipe for kids to help make- thank you!
Allyson says
Happy to hear that!
Rae says
You, my friend, are a legend!!!
I made this for my boyfriend. I had no clue it was going to turn out so tasty! He loved it! The broiler was an amazing idea, too.
Thank you!
Bonnie Stubbins says
I have made this with boneless skinless chicken breast that I par boil then shred it and layer it in the pasta and red sauce! I add a touch of hearty burgundy wine but do not over power your sauce just a splash I also use granulated garlic added to the sauce! If using Italian sweet sausage while sautéeing it I sprinkle either fennel
or anise seeds into the sautéed sausage to add more kick! Do not skimp on the mozzarella cheese and I use grated! Just a fabulous recipe so enjoy😀😀😀😀😀😀
Allyson says
This sounds amazing how you are making! I will definitely try with these additions!
Darryl B ROBERTSON says
Trying this for first time on Easter, got all ingredients today got the whole family geared up for it,
Allyson says
How did it go? I hope you enjoyed it!
RALPH O says
I like the idea of adding anise seeds, I think this could end up being "the secret ingredient" to kick it up a notch. (I'm making this for my wife for Mother's day!)
April says
One of my favorite meals! So freaking delicious and easy!
Peggy says
This was awesome 👌 We ate it twice in one day! I took half to a neighbor who had knee surgery and she asked for the recipe. Will definitely make again!!
Allyson says
So happy to hear that! It is definitely a comforting meal!
Amanda says
Perfect for the family, everyone was full and it was so tasty!
Alicia B says
I make this at least twice a month and love adding extra veggies! Mushrooms and spinach are super easy to toss into the mix!
Allyson says
It really is so versatile!
Carol Brady says
Can I prepare this recipe , then refrigerate and bake in oven the next day ?
Allyson says
yes absolutely! Add 20 minutes onto the 'covered baking time' to make sure it gets heated through!
RALPH O says
Allyson, I don't get it. I thought "covered baking time" directions were for mostaccioli coming out of the "freezer". Carol Brady asked about coming out of the "refrigerator". Please clarify, I'm getting ready to make it for Mother's day, a day or two ahead (but not freeze).
Allyson says
Hi Ralph! I don't think you are reading the actual recipe. I am unclear on what you are doing exactly, but it sounds like you are making it fresh, then putting in the FRIDGE, and then cooking for the first time? Since the ingredients will be COLD coming out of the fridge, place it in the preheated oven, covered for 40 minutes (this adds the extra 20 mins i referred to in Carol's comment), then uncover and broil. Does that make sense? Since it's coming out of the fridge, and wasnt baked originally, you need time for all the ingredients to reheat under the foil. Does that make sense? If not, please send me an email at Allyson@domesticSuperhero.com and I will respond more quickly. Thanks and happy Mother's Day!
Claire says
Looks wonderful! I'll surely try this on our family dinner this Sunday. I can't wait!
Toni says
This was a really huge hit at my house! Everyone loved it!
Catalina says
Wow! This casserole is so cheesy and amazingly delicious! It's a must make!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
Yum!!! This Baked Mostaccioli is such a great dinner idea. Love it!
Amanda Livesay says
This is our favorite pasta dish! It's so delicious and comforting.
Allyson says
I am so happy y'll love it as much as we do!
Sarah says
So its baked ziti?
Allyson says
Yes, basically the same! https://askinglot.com/what-is-the-difference-between-baked-ziti-and-mostaccioli
David says
The video is using rigatoni, not mostaccioli. Thought that was interesting they would substitute the main ingredient which is in the title of the recipe. 🤔
Allyson says
You say tomato, I say tomahto
Alannah says
Made this for my family tonight! It's freezing in Aus at the moment so this meal is the perfect winter weekday dish.
Allyson says
So yummy! Stay warm!
Christine says
Looks great but what size casserole dish/pan should be used? Thanks
Allyson says
You can use an oval or rectangle baking dish that is 5 qts or larger!
Christina says
If I use vodka sauce, would it mix poorly with any of the other ingredients? Also, how can I make this ahead of time without freezing?
Allyson says
That would be SOOOOO YUMMY!!! How far ahead do you want to make it? If you are talking about like meal prepping for the week, I would just make the sausage ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. I do not recommend making the pasta a long duration before using it. If you are just talking about a few hours. You could make everything, then just combine the ingredients before baking it, then bake and cover with foil until you are ready to serve it.
Christina says
Awesome thank you! I was thinking morning of to prepare for dinner.
Mandy says
I work at a hunting lodge during turkey season and deer season. Tonight was the first dinner for my turkey hunters. I made your recipe and all 20 of them LOVED it!!!! Thank you!!!
Allyson says
I am so happy to hear that!!! Cheers!
Sue Stadler says
Excellent! This will be my new go to recipe for mostaciolli.
Allyson says
So happy to hear you loved it!
Sue Bedwell says
I'm making this recipe for 50 people. Any suggestions on how many large pans will be needed.
Allyson says
Each box of pasta serves 8 servings....so I would make 7 pans to be safe (times the recipe by 7).
Debbie says
Hi-quick question. If I assemble it and put it in the fridge over night, how long should it be baked do you think?
Thanks,
Debbie
Allyson says
I would probably cook it COVERED for 40 minutes, then uncover and cook 20 minutes.
Tracy says
What marinara sauce works best for flavor with this? Is it marinara or spaghetti sauce please?
Allyson says
I would marina sauce - I have a great homemade recipe, but I also really like Classico or Barilla brands.
Sara Mindelli says
If I half this recipe and put in an 8x8 dish, how long should I cook it?
Allyson says
Should be the same amount of time!
Rae says
You, my friend, are a legend!!!
I made this for my boyfriend. I had no clue it was going to turn out so tasty! He loved it! The broiler was an amazing idea, too.
Thank you!
Allyson says
I am so happy you and your boyfriend enjoyed it, and thank you for coming back to leave a review!!!!
Erin says
Hi!
Thank you so much for this recipe! Making it as a freezer meal for a new mother and trying to make it as easy as possible for her! I have made it and cooked it and am going to freeze it. What directions should I give her/how long will she need to cook it from frozen (since it’s already been cooked) thanks!
Allyson says
Perfect meal for that! Here are the directions to cook from frozen after already been baked: Remove from freezer. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook COVERED for 90 minutes. Remove the foil and cook an additional 20 minutes.
Barb says
So easy! I make home made pasta sauce. Had some leftover with meatballs so I added that plus the sausage. My family likes things saucy so I double the amount of sauce. Can't go wrong with this recipe! Thanks!
Allyson says
That sounds amazing!!! love that idea! Thank you for coming back to leave a review!!
Susan Pyrtle says
Great recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Allyson says
Thank you for coming back to leave comment!