Cheesy Baked Mostaccioli with Savory Beef
Savor the rich flavors of this Cheesy Baked Mostaccioli, a hearty and comforting dish perfect for family gatherings or potlucks. This delectable recipe combines perfectly cooked mostaccioli pasta with a savory ground beef mixture, vibrant green peppers, and onions, all enveloped in a luscious blend of spaghetti and tomato sauce. Topped generously with layers of melted mozzarella and aged parmesan cheese, this oven-baked creation will be a hit at any dinner table. Prepare it ahead of time and simply pop it into the oven just before serving for a hassle-free meal that everyone will love.
N/A
Servings
467
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground beef
1 lb (crumbled)
Green pepper
1 medium (diced)
Onion
1 medium (diced)
Spaghetti sauce
1 (32 ounce) jar (none)
Tomato sauce
1 (8 ounce) can (none)
Water
1 cup (none)
Mostaccioli pasta
16 ounces (cooked for 8 minutes, drained and tossed with 1-2 tsp vegetable oil)
Mozzarella cheese
16 ounces (shredded and divided)
Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
2
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, diced green pepper, and onion. Cook, breaking the beef up, until it's browned and the vegetables are soft, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Stir in the spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and 1 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat, allowing it to simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4
Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce mixture evenly over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish to create a base layer.
5
Layer half of the cooked mostaccioli pasta over the sauce.
6
Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and all of the grated parmesan cheese on top.
7
Add another 2 cups of the meat sauce mixture over the cheese, followed by the remaining pasta and the last of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
8
Finally, pour the remaining meat sauce over all the layers, ensuring an even distribution.
9
Cover the dish with foil (to prevent sticking, spray foil with cooking spray) and bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 45 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to become golden and slightly crispy.
10
Serve warm, and enjoy the delightful layers of flavor, cheese, and pasta. Note: If preparing ahead, assemble the dish, refrigerate, and increase baking time as needed.
Nutrition Information
27g
Fat
40g
Carbs
23g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Baked Mostaccioli?
It is a hearty and comforting baked pasta dish featuring mostaccioli, ground beef, and a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of crumbled ground beef.
What vegetables are included?
The dish includes one medium diced green pepper and one medium diced onion.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long does it take to bake?
The dish takes between 30 to 45 minutes to bake until it is hot and bubbly.
What size baking dish should be used?
You should use a 9x13-inch baking dish.
How much mozzarella cheese is required?
The recipe requires 16 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese, divided for layering.
What kind of parmesan cheese is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the dish, refrigerate it, and increase the baking time when you are ready to cook it.
How do I prevent the cheese from sticking to the foil?
Spray the foil with cooking spray before covering the baking dish.
What is the calorie count per serving?
One serving of this mostaccioli contains 467 calories.
How much protein is in a serving?
There are 23 grams of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
There are 40 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 27 grams of fat.
How should the mostaccioli pasta be prepared?
Cook 16 ounces of pasta for 8 minutes, drain it, and toss it with 1-2 teaspoons of vegetable oil.
What types of sauce are combined for the meat mixture?
The recipe combines a 32-ounce jar of spaghetti sauce and an 8-ounce can of tomato sauce.
How long should the sauce simmer?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, let it simmer for about 5 minutes while stirring occasionally.
How do I start layering the dish?
Start by spreading 1 cup of the meat sauce mixture evenly over the bottom of the baking dish.
When should I remove the foil during baking?
Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to become golden and crispy.
How many total ingredients are needed?
There are 9 ingredients in total for this recipe.
Does this recipe require water?
Yes, 1 cup of water is added to the meat and sauce mixture.
How long do I cook the beef and vegetables?
Cook them over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until the beef is browned and vegetables are soft.
Is this dish suitable for family gatherings?
Yes, it is described as a hearty and comforting dish perfect for family gatherings or potlucks.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include pasta, baked pasta, cheesy, comfort food, family meal, and italian cuisine.
How is the parmesan cheese distributed?
All of the grated parmesan cheese is sprinkled on top of the first layer of pasta along with 2 cups of mozzarella.
What do I do after browning the meat?
Stir in the spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and water, then bring to a boil.
How much pasta is used?
The recipe uses 16 ounces of mostaccioli pasta.
Is this considered an easy recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and a hassle-free meal.
How should the dish be served?
It should be served warm to enjoy the delightful layers of flavor and melted cheese.