The Ultimate Cheesy Baked Mostaccioli with Sausage Recipe

Mostaccioli revamps ordinary dinner into a comfort food celebration that promises pure satisfaction.

Italian-inspired pasta dishes carry incredible potential for creating memorable meals at home.

Hearty and rich, this particular recipe blends robust flavors with creamy textures that dance across your palate.

Cheese lovers will appreciate the melty goodness that binds each delectable bite together.

sausage adds a depth of savory complexity that elevates the entire dish beyond standard pasta preparations.

Texture and taste merge beautifully in this crowd-pleasing recipe that welcomes families around the table with warmth and excitement.

Prepare to experience a culinary journey that satisfies hunger and delights the senses.

Mostaccioli Bake Shortcut

• Savor Hearty Comfort: This dish delivers a soul-warming Italian-inspired meal packed with rich, meaty sausage and creamy cheese layers that hug your taste buds with pure deliciousness.
• Conquer Easy Cooking: Requiring minimal culinary skills, this recipe guides home cooks through simple steps, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a hungry family without stress.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Textures: Experience a delightful combination of tender pasta, crispy cheese edges, smooth sauce, and juicy sausage crumbles that provide an exciting mouthfeel in every single bite.
• Customize with Flexibility: Easily adapt the recipe by switching sausage types, adding extra vegetables, or adjusting cheese quantities to match personal preferences and pantry ingredients.

What’s in Cheesy Mostaccioli Bake

• Ground Italian Sausage: Classic protein that adds rich, hearty flavor and depth to the pasta dish. Fresh, high-quality sausage makes a significant difference in taste.

• Mostaccioli: Sturdy tube-shaped pasta perfect for holding sauce and cheese. Choose standard or whole wheat variety based on preference.

• Cottage Cheese, Eggs: Creamy base that provides smooth texture and binds the cheese mixture. Fresh eggs ensure better binding and richness.
• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Melty, sharp cheeses that create golden, bubbly topping. Choose freshly grated for best melting quality.

• Marinara Sauce: Classic tomato-based sauce that adds moisture and traditional Italian flavor. Select high-quality jarred or homemade sauce.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds brightness and color to the cheese mixture. Choose vibrant green, crisp leaves.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance overall dish flavor. Use freshly ground black pepper for best taste.

• Non-Stick Cooking Spray: Ensures easy dish removal and prevents sticking. Opt for neutral-flavored spray.
• Aluminum Foil: Helps control baking temperature and prevents excessive browning.

Bake Sausage Mostaccioli in Minutes

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350°F and get ready for some delicious cooking action.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage

In a large skillet, cook ground Italian sausage over medium heat until it’s completely browned and crumbly. Set aside the sizzling meat.

Step 3: Boil the Pasta

Fill a pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Toss in mostaccioli pasta and cook according to package directions, typically around 10 minutes. Drain thoroughly.

Step 4: Create the Sauce Blend

Combine the cooked sausage with marinara sauce in the skillet. Keep it warm on low heat.

Step 5: Whip Up the Cheese Mixture

• Cottage cheese
• Eggs
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Chopped parsley
• Salt
• Pepper

Stir until smooth and well incorporated.

Step 6: Layer the Deliciousness

• Half the sauce
• Half the pasta
• Cheese mixture
• Remaining pasta
• Remaining sauce
• Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 10 more minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Step 8: Let It Rest

Allow the mostaccioli to sit for a few minutes after baking. This helps it set and makes serving easier.

Enjoy your mouthwatering Saucy Sausage Mostaccioli Bake!

Tips for a Cheesy Mostaccioli Finish

• Master Sausage Browning: Ensure the sausage is thoroughly cooked and crumbled into small pieces for even flavor distribution throughout the dish.
• Pasta Perfection: Cook mostaccioli just until al dente to prevent mushy texture when baking, as the pasta will continue to cook in the oven.
• Cheese Mixing Magic: Whisk the cheese mixture until completely smooth to create a creamy, consistent layer that binds beautifully with other ingredients.
• Layering Technique: Create even layers to guarantee each bite has a balanced combination of sauce, pasta, and cheese mixture.
• Cheese Topping Trick: Sprinkle additional cheese on top during the last few minutes of baking for a golden, crispy cheese crust that adds extra flavor and visual appeal.

Keep Mostaccioli Bake Fresh

• Store Refrigeration: Transfer leftover cheesy baked mostaccioli into an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours of cooking. Properly stored, the dish will remain delicious for 3-4 days in the fridge.
• Freezer Storage: Wrap individual portions or the entire casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Frozen mostaccioli can last up to 2-3 months without losing flavor quality.
• Reheating Method: Thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven at 350°F covered with foil for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Alternatively, microwave individual servings for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway to ensure even warming. Add a splash of marinara sauce to prevent dryness and restore moisture before serving.

Matchups for Cheesy Mostaccioli

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Complement the rich, meaty flavors of the mostaccioli with a bold Chianti or Sangiovese that cuts through the cheesy, saucy dish and enhances its Italian-inspired profile.
• Crisp Green Salad Sidekick: Balance the hearty pasta with a light, zesty salad featuring fresh arugula, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette to provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, cheesy casserole.
• Garlic Bread Accompaniment: Serve crusty, toasted garlic bread alongside the dish to soak up extra sauce and add a crunchy texture that perfectly matches the creamy, melted cheese layers.
• Chilled Italian Craft Beer Companion: Choose a crisp, light Italian beer like Peroni or Moretti to cleanse the palate and cut through the richness of the sausage and multiple cheese varieties.

Cheesy Pasta Bake Alternatives

• Veggie Fusion: Replace sausage with a medley of roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms for a vegetarian-friendly version that's packed with flavor and nutrients.
• Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce and swap Italian sausage for spicy chorizo to create a zesty, heat-packed pasta dish that'll wake up your taste buds.
• Mediterranean Makeover: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, diced sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil into the cheese mixture, then top with kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired twist on the classic recipe.
• Lean Protein Option: Use ground turkey instead of sausage and add spinach to the cheese mixture for a lighter, more nutritious casserole that doesn't compromise on taste.

Cheesy Baked Mostaccioli With Sausage Delight Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Cheesy Baked Mostaccioli with Sausage Delight brings hearty Italian-American comfort to dinner tables. Layers of pasta, rich marinara, spicy sausage, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground Italian sausage
• 1 cup (226 grams) cottage cheese
• 2 eggs

Cheese and Dairy:

• 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Seasonings:

• 1 pound (454 grams) box mostaccioli pasta
• 1 (24-28 ounces) (680–794 grams) jar marinara sauce
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C), positioning the rack in the center for even heat distribution.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature, thoroughly cooking the ground Italian sausage until it’s completely browned and no pink remains, breaking it into small crumbles.
3. Simultaneously, fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil, then add the mostaccioli pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
4. Drain the pasta in a colander, shaking gently to remove excess water, then set aside.
5. Combine the cooked sausage with marinara sauce in the skillet, simmering on low heat to meld flavors and keep warm.
6. In a mixing bowl, whisk together cottage cheese, eggs, half of the mozzarella cheese, of Parmesan cheese, finely chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper until the mixture becomes smooth and well-incorporated.
7. Lightly coat a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
8. Create layers by spreading half the sausage-marinara sauce on the bottom, followed by a layer of cooked pasta, then evenly distribute the cheese mixture across the surface.
9. Add another layer of pasta, pour the remaining sauce over the top, and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses to create a rich, cheesy surface.
10. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
11. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbling with crispy edges.
12. Remove from the oven and let the mostaccioli rest for 5-7 minutes, allowing the layers to set and making serving easier.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Gather all ingredients and tools before starting to make cooking smooth and stress-free.
• Pasta Power: Cook mostaccioli al dente to prevent overcooking during the final baking stage, ensuring perfect texture.
• Sausage Sizzle: Drain excess fat from browned sausage to keep the dish from becoming greasy and maintain rich flavor.
• Cheese Tip: Use room temperature eggs and cheeses for easier mixing and more even incorporation into the filling.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the dish ahead of time and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
• Serving Suggestion: Pair with a crisp green salad and garlic bread to complete this hearty Italian-inspired meal.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 485 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg