Savory Sausage & Cheesy Baked Mostaccioli Recipe for Foodies

Biting into a hearty plate of cheesy baked mostaccioli with sausage delight sparks an instant culinary love affair that transports you straight to comfort food heaven.

Layers of tender pasta nestle between rich, savory sausage and melted cheese, creating a mouthwatering experience.

Robust Italian flavors dance across your palate with each forkful of this irresistible dish.

The combination of perfectly seasoned sausage and gooey cheese makes this recipe a true crowd-pleaser.

Weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings demand this delectable pasta bake that comes together with minimal effort.

Every bite promises a delightful blend of textures and flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to fall in love with this ultimate comfort meal that’s sure to become a permanent fixture in your recipe collection.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 460 kcal

Servings: 7

Cheesy Baked Mostaccioli with Sausage Ingredients

• Ground Italian Sausage: Adds robust, hearty flavor and provides the main protein punch for the dish, choose fresh sausage with high meat content for best taste.
• Eggs: Bind the cheese mixture together, creating a creamy texture and adding protein, select farm-fresh eggs for richest results.

• Cottage Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Create a luxurious, melty cheese layer with complex flavor profiles, opt for high-quality, freshly grated cheeses for maximum creaminess and authentic taste.

• Mostaccioli Pasta: Provides substantial base for the dish, select high-quality pasta with good texture that holds sauce well.
• Marinara Sauce: Delivers classic Italian tomato essence, choose a rich, well-seasoned sauce or make homemade for deeper flavor complexity.
• Parsley: Adds fresh herbal notes and bright color, select vibrant green leaves with strong aroma.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhance and balance overall dish flavor, use freshly ground black pepper for best results.
• Non-Stick Cooking Spray: Ensures easy dish removal and prevents sticking, choose neutral flavor spray.
• Aluminum Foil: Helps control baking temperature and moisture during cooking process.

Tips to Level Up Sausage Mostaccioli Flavor

• Explore innovative twists and expert tips to elevate this comforting dish.
• Replace Italian sausage with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for lighter protein options that keep the flavor profile exciting and versatile.
• Boost heat by adding red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a splash of hot sauce directly into the meat sauce for those craving extra kick and depth of flavor.
• Incorporate chopped spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms into the cheese mixture to increase nutritional value and create a more complex texture without compromising the dish's creamy essence.
• Try different cheese combinations like fontina, ricotta, or provolone to create unique flavor profiles that make the mostaccioli distinctly yours while maintaining the classic cheesy appeal.

Serve Sausage Mostaccioli Hot and Hearty

• Pair with Fresh Salad: Toss a crisp green salad with vinaigrette to balance the rich, cheesy pasta and add a refreshing contrast to the hearty dish.
• Serve with Garlic Bread: Warm, crusty garlic bread complements the saucy mostaccioli perfectly, helping to soak up every delicious bite of marinara and melted cheese.
• Enhance with Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to elevate the flavors of the sausage and create a restaurant-style dining experience at home.
• Create a Family-Style Meal: Bring the baking dish directly to the table, letting everyone serve themselves and enjoy the warm, comforting meal together with loved ones.

Best Way to Store Baked Mostaccioli with Sausage

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover mostaccioli in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Sealed properly, the dish maintains its delicious flavor for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Frozen mostaccioli stays fresh for up to 3 months, providing a convenient make-ahead meal option.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Warm in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil to prevent drying out. Add a splash of extra marinara sauce to restore moisture and freshness.
• Portion and Prep: Divide into individual servings before storing. This technique helps quick reheating and prevents repeatedly warming the entire dish, which can compromise texture and taste.

Tools for Assembling Mostaccioli with Sausage

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning sausage and mixing sauce.
• Large Pot: Perfect for boiling pasta to al dente perfection.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Key for layering and baking the entire casserole.
• Mixing Bowl: Ideal for combining cheese filling ingredients smoothly.
• Colander: Necessary for draining cooked pasta quickly.
• Aluminum Foil: Used to cover dish during initial baking.
• Non-stick Cooking Spray: Helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures precise cheese and ingredient quantities.

How to Make Cheesy Baked Mostaccioli the Easy Way

• Sausage Sizzle Preparation

Brown ground Italian sausage in a skillet until fully cooked, creating a rich and flavorful base for the dish.

• Pasta Pool

Boil mostaccioli pasta in a large pot until perfectly tender, then drain completely to prepare for layering.

• Cheese Symphony

Blend cottage cheese, eggs, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper into a creamy, smooth mixture that will add luxurious texture.

• Sauce and Sausage Fusion

Combine cooked sausage with marinara sauce, allowing the flavors to mingle and create a robust foundation for the casserole.

• Layered Landscape

In a baking dish, create a delicious landscape by alternating layers of sauce, pasta, and cheese mixture, building depth and complexity with each layer.

• Cheese Crown

Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top, creating a golden, crispy cheese blanket that will transform the dish.

• Oven Magic

Bake covered at 350°F for 30 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 10 minutes to achieve a bubbly, irresistible top.

• Resting Moment

Allow the mostaccioli to rest briefly after baking, letting the flavors settle and making serving easier and more enjoyable.

Mouth-Watering Cheesy Baked Mostaccioli With Sausage Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Savory cheesy baked mostaccioli with sausage combines classic Italian comfort ingredients for a hearty meal. Melted cheese, robust sausage, and zesty marinara create a satisfying dinner perfect for family gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) mostaccioli pasta
• 1 lb (454 g) ground Italian sausage
• 1 jar (24-28 oz) (680–794 g) marinara sauce
• 2 cups (226 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup (226 g) cottage cheese
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), situating the rack centrally for uniform heating.
2. Sausage Development: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, thoroughly brown the ground Italian sausage, breaking it into fine crumbles until no pink remains.
3. Pasta Cooking: Simultaneously, boil mostaccioli in a large pot until achieving al dente texture, then drain carefully in a colander.
4. Sauce Integration: Merge cooked sausage with marinara sauce in the skillet, simmering on low heat to harmonize flavors.
5. Cheese Blending: Whisk cottage cheese, eggs, partial mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper into a smooth, uniform mixture.
6. Layering Foundation: Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, then spread half the sausage-marinara sauce as the initial layer.
7. Cheese Distribution: Arrange pasta over the sauce, evenly spreading the cheese mixture across the surface.
8. Final Assembly: Add a second pasta layer, pour remaining sauce, and generously sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
9. Initial Baking: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes to meld flavors comprehensively.
10. Finishing Touch: Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes until cheese transforms to a golden, bubbling crust with crisp edges.
11. Resting Period: Remove from oven and allow 5-7 minutes of resting to stabilize layers and enhance serving consistency.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Gather and measure all ingredients before starting to ensure smooth cooking flow and minimize kitchen stress.
• Sausage Sizzle Tip: Break ground sausage into tiny crumbles for even cooking and better texture throughout the dish.
• Cheese Blend Magic: Whisk cheese mixture thoroughly to create a smooth, creamy consistency that binds layers perfectly.
• Resting is Crucial: Allow the baked mostaccioli to rest for 5-7 minutes after cooking, helping layers set and making cutting and serving much easier.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg