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Home » The Recipe Box » Sunday Dinner

Baked Mostaccioli con Ricotta

Profile image of Amanda Scarlati By Amanda Scarlati - Updated: Dec 9, 2022 - Published: Mar 9, 2022 - This post contains affiliate links.

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5 from 14 votes
Total Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
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baked mostaccioli with sausage and melted cheese.
bowl of baked cheesy mostaccioli in a wooden bowl and on a wooden spoon

Baked mostaccioli con ricotta is one of the best pasta recipes for Sunday dinner or the weeknight. This cheesy layered pasta is made with Italian sausage, red sauce and three different kinds of cheese!

baked mostaciolli pasta with sausage and ricotta cheese in a rectangle ceramic dish with green napkin

Baked mostaccioli was a staple at graduation parties or special occasions when we lived in the midwest. It's a hearty and delicious pasta recipe that whole family will love. The best thing about this traditional mostaccioli recipe is that it is both great when made fresh or when made ahead.

Serve this mostaccioli con ricotta for family dinner with slow cooker beef sandwiches, and a loaf of italian pesto bread or cheesy garlic bread!

Jump to:
  • 🍅 Ingredient notes
  • 📋 Substitutions and variations
  • 🔪 Step by step instructions
  • ⭐ Expert tips
  • ⏲️ Make ahead instructions
  • 🥡 Storage suggestions
  • 🍝 More hearty Italian pasta recipes
  • #ScarlatiFamilyKitchen
  • Recipe
  • Comments

🍅 Ingredient notes

shredded mozzarella, garlic, italian seasoning, marinara, parmesan, italian sausage, ricotta, egg, mostaccioli pasta and olive oil
  • Mostaccioli - This tubular pasta has angled edges and is smooth on the outside. It's similar to rigatoni, penne or ziti pasta which also can be used as a substitute for this mostaccioli recipe if needed.
  • Sausage - Ground Italian sausage adds a wonderful flavor, texture and heartiness to the meat sauce in this dish. Mild italian sausage won't add a ton of spice, where as hot Italian sausage will make this an extra zesty dish.
  • Sauce - My homemade Italian gravy is always my go to for red sauce. Your favorite store bought marinara sauce or other homemade pasta sauce will also work.
  • Cheese - A combination of creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella and salty parmesan are the Italian cheeses used to make a fresh ricotta cheese sauce that is layered in the middle of the pasta. I recommend using full fat or whole milk versions for the best flavor and texture. Asiago or pecorino romano cheese would be other great additions to mix in or add on top.

📋 Substitutions and variations

  • White Sauce - Substitute the red sauce in this recipe for alfredo sauce.
  • Other Meat - Try grilled chicken strips, meatballs or ground beef.
  • Spicy - Add a ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
  • Vegetarian - Omit the Italian sausage.
  • Gluten Free - Use your favorite gluten free pasta.
  • For a Crowd - This recipe can be scaled up to serve a crowd. Plan for about 8 servings per 9x13 pan.

🔪 Step by step instructions

First, boil the uncooked mostaccioli in a large pot of salted water to cook it according to the package instructions. Drain it from the pasta water and set it aside.

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In a dutch oven or large skillet, brown the Italian sausage over medium heat and then cook it for another minute with the fresh garlic.

cooked mostaccioli pasta in colander and cooked ground italian sausage in pot with a wooden spoon

Mix the tomato sauce into the cooked sausage mixture along with the pasta and then set that aside.

In a large bowl, combine the ricotta and mozzarella cheeses with the Italian seasoning and a large egg and stir until it's well combined.

pasta with sausage and marinara in pot and spoon stirring ricotta cheese mixture in a bowl

Spoon half of the pasta mixture in an even layer into a 9x13 baking dish or large casserole dish and then dollop the cheese mixture on top of the pasta.

Next, top the ricotta mixture with the remaining pasta and sprinkle with the parmesan cheese.

dollops of cheese mixture on mostaccioli in dish and mostaccioli topped with parmesan cheese in dish

Cover the dish tightly in foil and bake in a 375˚ oven for about 40 minutes until melted and bubbly.

Remove the foil and bake uncovered for 5-10 more minutes to brown the cheese.

freshly baked mostaccioli pasta with cheese, sauce and italian sausage in a baking dish

If you ever don't recognize a tool or skill that is mentioned, be sure to look it up in our Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information.

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⭐ Expert tips

  • Cook the pasta in boiling salted water to help flavor the pasta. 4 quarts of water with 1 Tablespoon of kosher salt mixed in after boiling is the perfect ratio for 1 pound of pasta.
  • Make sure to cook the mostaccioli noodles until they are just al dente. This means that it is cooked through, but still has a slight bite to it. This will help to make sure the pasta isn't mushy when it's baked with the sauce and cheese. Follow the package directions for timing.
  • Bake the dish covered for the first 40 minutes so that pasta heats up nicely and doesn't dry out.
  • After removing the foil, If the cheese isn't browning as much as you would like, flip on the broiler for a couple of minutes to finish browning it.
wooden bowl filled with cheesy mostaccioli with red sauce and a hand holding the bowl

⏲️ Make ahead instructions

REFRIGERATOR: Prepare unbaked mostaccoli and allow it to cool completely in the refrigerator, uncovered. Once cooled, cover with foil and store up to 24 hours before cooking it in the oven. 10-15 additional minutes of cooking time may be needed.

FREEZER: Prepare unbaked mostaccoli and allow it to cool completely in the refrigerator, uncovered. Once cooled, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and then foil and store in the freezer for up to two months. Mostaccioli can be baked from frozen, but will need an additional 15-20 minutes of cooking time.

🥡 Storage suggestions

Leftover baked mostaccioli con ricotta will keep in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container for 3-5 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.

🍝 More hearty Italian pasta recipes

If you loved this recipe for baked mostaccioli con ricotta, check out these other hearty Italian pasta recipes that I know you will love too!

  • Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake
  • White Lasagna with Spinach and Mushrooms
  • Beef Short Rib Ragu with Pappardelle
  • Carbonara Style Mac and Cheese

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If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and give it a rating. I love to hear from each and every one of you! Tag me on Facebook and Instagram as well! It makes my day to see all of your photos of the food you have made.

Recipe

baked mostaccioli with sausage and melted cheese.
5 from 14 votes

Baked Mostaccioli con Ricotta

Yield : 8 servings
Prep: 30 minutes mins
Cook: 50 minutes mins
Total: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
This easy baked mostaccioli con ricotta recipe is one of the best pastas for Sunday dinner or the weeknight. This cheesy layered pasta is made with Italian sausage, red sauce and three different kinds of cheese!
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound mostaccioli, uncooked
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground italian sausage, mild or hot
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 3 cups Italian Sunday Gravy, or marinara
  • 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
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Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375˚.
  • Cook the mostaccioli in boiling salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set it aside.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot or skillet over medium heat on the stovetop.
  • Add the Italian sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes, while breaking it up, until it is browned.
  • Add the garlic, saute for 1 minute, and then remove from the heat.
  • Add the mostaccioli and sauce to the pot with the sausage and stir until everything is well combined.
  • Mix the ricotta, mozzarella, Italian seasoning, and egg in a separate mixing bowl.
  • Spread half of the pasta mixture into a 9x13 baking dish, then drop the ricotta mixture, by the spoonful, over the top of the pasta.
  • Spread the remaining pasta over the top of the ricotta and sprinkle evenly with the parmesan cheese.
  • Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for 5-10 minutes to brown the cheese. (Flip on the broiler for a couple of minutes to brown the cheese more if desired.)

Notes

  • Pasta - Rigatoni, penne or ziti can be used as substitutes.
  • Meat - Substitute the sausage for round beef, grilled chicken or meatballs.
  • Spicy - Add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
  • Cheese - Use full fat or whole milk versions for the best flavor and texture. Asiago or pecorino romano cheese can be mixed in or added on top.
  • White Sauce - Substitute the red sauce in this recipe for alfredo sauce.
  • Vegetarian - Omit the Italian sausage.
  • Gluten Free - Use your favorite gluten free pasta.
  • Servings - Plan for about 8 servings per 9x13 pan.
  • Make Ahead (FRIDGE) - Prepare unbaked mostaccoli and allow it to cool completely in the refrigerator, uncovered. Once cooled, cover with foil and store up to 24 hours before cooking it in the oven. 10-15 additional minutes of cooking time may be needed.
  • Make Ahead (FREEZER) - Prepare unbaked mostaccoli and allow it to cool completely in the refrigerator, uncovered. Once cooled, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and then foil and store in the freezer for up to two months. Mostaccioli can be baked from frozen, but will need an additional 15-20 minutes of cooking time.
  • Leftovers - Keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 660kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 32gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 1224mgPotassium: 681mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 922IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 371mgIron: 3mg
Author : Amanda Scarlati
Course : Dinner: Side Dish
Cuisine : Italian
Tried this recipe?Mention @ScarlatiFamilyKitchen or tag #ScarlatiFamilyKitchen!

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Comments

    5 from 14 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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  1. Cindi

    January 28, 2025 at 4:59 pm

    5 stars
    Am I missing a step? I don’t see in the directions that the sausage gets added. I did add it to my gravy, but I think that step is missed. We all enjoyed this meal, and I will save this recipe.

    Reply
    • Amanda Scarlati

      January 28, 2025 at 8:12 pm

      Hey Cindi! I'm glad you enjoyed it. The sausage is cooked in step 4 and then the garlic is added in step 5 and then lastly the pasta and sauce are added to the pan in step 6. I can see how that might be a little confusing so I will add more detail. Thank you for trying the recipe!

      Reply
  2. Jodie Theis

    January 14, 2025 at 10:39 am

    5 stars
    I have this recipe saved in my phone and I’ve made it several times. It’s very very good, I can’t believe I haven’t left a comment yet. I usually will sub out whole wheat penne pasta but that’s the only change I make!

    Reply
    • Amanda Scarlati

      January 14, 2025 at 10:41 am

      Thanks Jodie! I'm so glad it's become a go-to recipe for you!

      Reply
  3. Stacy Everson

    October 06, 2024 at 9:35 am

    How many people does this serve?

    Reply
    • Amanda Scarlati

      October 06, 2024 at 10:18 am

      Hi Stacy, This will serve 8 people.

      Reply
  4. Carol

    March 13, 2023 at 1:13 am

    5 stars
    This turned out great. I made a bit more pasta & sauce as I had unexpected guests, I did not increase the ricotta or cheeses and it was excellent. Everyone raved about it. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Amanda

      March 13, 2023 at 3:29 pm

      I'm so happy you enjoyed it Carol. Thank you for trying the recipe!

      Reply

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