Easy Weeknight Mostaccioli Bake
Some dinners just never let you down, and this is one of them. My mom’s Easy Weeknight Mostaccioli is hearty, cheesy, and built on simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. It’s quick enough to whip up on a busy night, yet satisfying enough to serve when you want a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing meal.
Why You’ll Love It
- Weeknight friendly – on the table in under an hour.
- Comforting & cheesy – melty mozzarella + parmesan make it irresistible.
- Simple ingredients – pasta, sauce, sausage… nothing fancy, just delicious.
- Family approved – even the picky eaters won’t complain about this one.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 (24 oz) jar of spaghetti sauce (any flavor you love!)
- 12 oz mostaccioli (or penne)
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain.
- While pasta cooks, brown the sausage in a large skillet. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in the spaghetti sauce, parmesan, and Italian seasoning. Mix well.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until everything is coated.
- Transfer mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Top evenly with shredded mozzarella.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
Pro Tips
- Swap the mostaccioli for a different shape – bowtie, shells, etc. Any short pasta should work!
- Make it ahead! Assemble everything, cover, and refrigerate. Just bake when you’re ready to eat (add 10 minutes to the bake time).
- Add some veggies—like sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers—for extra flavor and color.
Pairing Suggestions
This casserole shines all on its own, but if you want a little extra:
- A crisp green salad with balsamic vinaigrette
- Garlic bread (because extra carbs are always welcome)
- A glass of red wine (Chianti or Cabernet works beautifully)
Final Thoughts
My mom’s Easy Weeknight Mostaccioli is one of those recipes that never goes out of style. It’s warm, filling, and so simple that it will quickly earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation. From busy weeknights to Sunday suppers, this dish proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated.
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Easy Weeknight Mostaccioli
This Easy Weeknight Mostaccioli is hearty, cheesy, and simple to make. With Italian sausage, pasta, marinara, and plenty of melty mozzarella, it’s the kind of no-fuss dinner the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 24 oz jar of spaghetti sauce (any flavor you love!)
- 12 oz mostaccioli or penne
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain.
- While pasta cooks, brown the sausage in a large skillet. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in the spaghetti sauce, parmesan, and Italian seasoning. Mix well.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until everything is coated.
- Transfer mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Top evenly with shredded mozzarella.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
Notes
Pro Tips
- Swap Italian sausage for ground beef or turkey if you want to lighten it up.
- Make it ahead! Assemble everything, cover, and refrigerate. Just bake when you’re ready to eat (add 10 minutes to the bake time).
- Add some veggies—like sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers—for extra flavor and color.
- A crisp green salad with balsamic vinaigrette
- Garlic bread (because extra carbs are always welcome)
- A glass of red wine (Chianti or Cabernet works beautifully)
Nutrition
Serving: 8servingsCalories: 466kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 22gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 705mgPotassium: 275mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 222mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!