I'm Caitlyn, I love creating simple and delicious recipes for my entire family to enjoy! I recommend using a simple marinara sauce with ingredients like garlic and basil. Leave out the meat and load this up with zucchini, mushrooms, spinach, and onions! My family is going to devour this. Spread in a lightly greased 9 x 13 baking pan and cover with foil. Had three from my bunco group ask me for the recipe the next day. Margaret McNeil - Germantown, Tennessee, Easy Mostaccioli Recipe photo by Taste of Home. CHEESE We top this with mozzarella and parmesan. The difference between them is their texture: penne noodles have small ridges, whereas mostaccioli is smooth. The comforting, crowd-pleasing casserole is filled with tender pasta, melted cheese, marinara sauce, and sweet Italian sausage (aka what were all craving during the fall and winter months). I really do not want you to have dried out mostaccioli. This Classic Baked Mostaccioli makes an appearance at nearly every family party we have. Yes! Remove the aluminum foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted. You sure can! Wow! Cook COVERED for 90 minutes. You could also cook all the meat at one time and add the extra meat to breakfast burritos or eggs for a morning meal the next day. It can stay in the refrigerator for about 3 days before baking. If not, Id suggest giving shallots a try for a substitute I admit I have not tried shallots with this recipe yet, but Ill chime in and give feedback on how it goes. It is going to feel like you are using too much sauce. Please read our disclosure policy. Glad everyone loved it! Drain mostaccioli. Stir in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, water, Italian seasoning, and sugar. Easy to follow, tried, tested and loved! Thank you for the recipe. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 375F. 1 cup: 386 calories, 18g fat (9g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 747mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein. Baked Chicken Wings Recipe (BEST Seasoning! Home > Recipes > Main Dishes > Pasta and Pizza Recipes > Easy Baked Mostaccioli. I make this at least twice a month and love adding extra veggies! Powered by the ESHA Research Database 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Yes. Directions. can whole peeled tomatoes, pulsed in a blender, sprig of fresh basil, plus more chopped for garnish. Looks great but what size casserole dish/pan should be used? Cook over medium-low heat until the meat is fully cooked through and no pink remains. Made this last night. Grease a 9x13 pan. Place Mostaccioli in the oven and cook for 20 minutes. You can also add in the cooked meat to develop more flavor. Stir until cheese has melted. You're awesome for doing it! This situation is all too familiar its a Tuesday night and your whole family is starving. While the sauce is simmering, cook your dried pasta according to package instructions until al dente. & food goodness! This helps prevent moisture loss and your pasta drying out. Everything else was fine. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. And I think we can all agree that spaghetti is pretty dang easy! Cook, stirring often until the meat is cooked through and the onions have softened. Heat canola oil in a large pot over medium heat. Easy to make baked Mostaccioli is a weeknight dinner recipe the whole family will love! Made this for my family tonight! Italian sausage (half sweet/half hot). Re-heat leftovers in the oven (350 degrees for 15-20 minutes) or microwave (60 seconds) until hot. While the meat is browning begin making your mostaccioli noodles. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Cook mostaccioli according to package directions. Stir in onion and red pepper; cook until onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. This authentic Italian mostaccioli recipe has been a stable in my family for many years and I hope you love it as well. A 3-quart or 913-inch baking dish is perfect for making baked mostaccioli. I love to use my homemade marinara sauce in my mostaccioli, but to save time you can use a store bought sauce. Make ahead: The assembled mostaccioli can be refrigerated, covered in aluminum foil, up to 2 days in advance. It was even better the next nights dinner! I often make a double batch of this mostaccioli recipe and freeze half. If your skillet with the sauce is large enough you could add your noodles to that and mix it that way. Did your family love this Baked Mostaccioli? I made this per the recipe but substituted mild Italian sausage. Your email address will not be published. Made this with brown rice mostaccioli (as my son has celiac's and is gluten free) for my son's pre-med club potluck at his high school and all I came home with was an empty pan. That. Add Italian sausage and cook for 5 minutes while breaking apart with a spatula. Puree until it forms a smooth sauce, about 3 minutes. Mince 3 garlic cloves (about 1 tablespoon). Domestic Superhero is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, Copyright 2022 Domestic Superhero. Once baked, this dish will stay fresh in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Itll appeal to all ages. Italian sausage is a great substitute (or really any ground meat). Making this meal couldn't be easier! Mostaccioli (or penne) pasta is tossed in my own spaghetti sauce in this versatile, delicious, and budget-friendly dish. Thank you for all your recipes!! So happy to hear that, Kyle! Subscribe to receive weekly recipes and get a FREE Bonus e-book: Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals! Top it with plenty of cheese and you'll soon have a new favorite to add to the rotation. Set aside. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan brown ground beef, onion, and garlic until no pink remains. I hope you find some new go-to recipes and favorites for your own family and friends to enjoy! Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli (low calorie, low carb), Air Fryer Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts, Air Fryer Roasted Carrots (easy side dish), Skinny Bruschetta Chicken (easy healthy meal), Air Fryer Tortilla Chips with Red Gold Salsa, https://askinglot.com/what-is-the-difference-between-baked-ziti-and-mostaccioli, Add strained pasta back to the pasta pot, then add the sausage mixture, half of the shredded cheese, and. * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Cheesy, warm, and loaded with a robust meat sauce. Read more about me. Gradually stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture until a stiff dough forms. This is going to be a regular requested dish I'm pretty sure lol. Do not overcook the pasta as it will cook more in the oven. The Cookie Rookie is a place to find easy recipes that anyone can make, and everyone will love! The Mostaccioli itself is tender and grips the sauce perfectly, while the cheeses and robust meat sauce create an irresistibly savory flavor. Thank you for trying it. I made this recipe for the first time for our family Christmas dinner and everyone loved it! This Mostaccioli recipe is delicious! My son quickly asked if my "famous mostoccioli" could make an appearance which made me laugh. If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Yes! Whatever noodle you use it is important to cook the pasta al denta and not overcook it. I think this 50/50 combo yields the perfect flavor combination. You can use an oval or rectangle baking dish that is 5 qts or larger! To avoid mushy pasta, cook the mostaccioli until al dente. Mostaccioli is a great main dish, or it could also be a side dish to delicious Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan! It is then in that moment that you know you are using the perfect amount. This pasta recipe is super easy to make and can work as a weeknight dinner, or as a side for any type of party. Bring 4 - 6 quarts of water to a rolling boil, add salt to taste. If she isn't in the Delish kitchens, you'll most likely find her out on the town looking for the next food trends in the US and on her travels abroad. Hey Mark, I was curious if you substituted the onions with something else. Vegetarian version: To make this mostaccioli vegetarian, replace the sausage. Place Mostaccioli in the oven and cook for 20 minutes. MOTHER'S HOMEMADE POLISH NOODLES (KLUSKI). The Best Bar Carts on Amazon Under $100 Ingredients 1 pound uncooked mostaccioli 1-1/2 pounds bulk Italian sausage 1 jar (28 ounces) meatless spaghetti sauce 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese Get Ingredients Powered by Chicory Directions I think the ground Italian sausage gives the best flavor. Return the pasta to the empty pot. Once combines, add your prepared pasta to a large 13x9 inch baking dish and bake the homemade mostaccioli at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes until heated through and cheese is bubbling. In a large mixing bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Season to taste with salt and pepper, red pepper flakes and/or cayenne. It will finish cooking in the oven. You most certainly can, and its delicious! Let it sit until ready to use. Switch the oven to broil, then broil for 3-5 minutes, watching closely so the cheese doesn't burn. Bake uncovered until the cheese is golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes. (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. Meanwhile, place the parmesan, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella, 1 large egg, and 1 1/2 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese in a medium bowl and until well combined. Cook and stir ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat until crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes. Layer half the pasta mixture in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish coated with non-stick . A traditional pasta bake recipe (in this case mostaccioli) is loaded with meat and cheese in a rich and hearty tomato sauce! Stir in spaghetti sauce, soup, Italian seasoning and pepper. I hope you find some new go-to recipes and favorites for your own family and friends to enjoy. For NEW RECIPES delivered straight to your inbox, signup for our email list! Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used. Your email address will not be published. I know with recipes that use a mixture of meats it can be tempting to pick one or the other. You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of emails you receive. 2 The second time I made it (with many new people at the bday party) I got the same reaction. Be careful not to overcook the pasta. Here. In the same pan you browned the beef and pork in, add the marinara sauce and spices. . Cook mostaccioli according to package directions. This meal is great to make ahead, reheats and freezes perfectly and everyone LOVES it. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer while you cook the pasta, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer the pasta into a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread into an even layer. Directions. Crispy French Toast Recipe with Buttermilk, Vegan Black Bean Soup: Spicy, Simple and Healthy. Pour the meat sauce into the pot of pasta and mix well. I love using my BEST EVER MARINARA SAUCE for this meal as well! Now for layering the baked mostaccioli. My grandma often will make this classic baked mostaccioli dish ahead of time and store in the fridge, then pop it in the oven when ready to eat. In a dutch oven or large skillet, add the olive oil and heat it over medium heat on the stovetop. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare 13x9 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Essentially an easier lasagna made with penne. Alternatively, you can also be made completely from scratch and simmer for hours just how my grandma makes it. Stir in spaghetti sauce and pasta. Add to a 13x9 inch baking dish and top with the remaining shredded cheese. Serve it alongside The Best Ever Easy Garlic Bread and some Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts for the perfect meal! Next, it is time to assemble your pasta and bake it. Perfect for the family, everyone was full and it was so tasty! This was so good! This is perfect for dinner tonight! Add pork sausage; cook and stir until sausage is crumbly and browned, about 10 minutes. Do. If youre not familiar with mostaccioli, its time to get acquainted. It is then in that moment that you know you are using the perfect amount. Bake 5 minutes longer or until heated through. When the pasta is overcooked the mostaccioli will be a touch mushy and that's no good. Yes! It was amazing! Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. For more tender pasta, boil an additional 1 minute. Add marinara sauce, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, garlic, grated Parmesan cheese and basil to the same skillet along with the cooked meat. Even better is that this pasta can be kept warm in a crock pot to enjoy all day, can be prepped ahead of time and is freezer friendly! Love it! 1. Privacy. Thank you for sharing such tremendous ideas! I am a huge fan of your recipes and rely on them regularly. Awesome meal. So what is mostaccioli? Spoon out the rest and layer it on top. Crumble sausage into a Dutch oven. My family has loved it for years as well . PASTA Of course we use Mostaccioli but penne is the perfect substitute. In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the eggs for 2-3 minutes. Combine meat sauce, cooked pasta and half of the shredded cheese in a large bowl and stir until combined. Layer half of the meat sauce mixture on the bottom. dug in right away. Amount is based on available nutrient data. In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add Italian tomatoes with the juice from can (do not drain), puree and paste. About 5-7 minutes. Mostaccioli is a type of pasta similar to penne with a smooth surface instead of ridges. TOMATO SAUCE We use marinara sauce as the base with canned diced tomatoes for texture. Ground Meat: I recommend using half ground beef and half Italian sausage. Uncover and simmer about 10 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, until desired consistency. Remove the foil and cook an additional 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. The kids devoured it. Over medium heat, saute for 2 or 3 minutes. Cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and serve. Why You'll LOVE ItSimple to Prepare: Very little prep work requiredVersatile: Works great for family dinners or a party side dishKids LOVE itA Classic Family Recipe: Great flavors and simple ingredients. Transfer to two greased 11x7-in. Delish editors handpick every product we feature. small green bell pepper, chopped (1/2 cup), cups uncooked mostaccioli pasta (6 ounces). If you do it before all the cheese will stick to the foil once it is removed. Reduce heat to medium-low. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, covered, 50-60 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165. Spoon half the pasta mixture into a greased shallow 3-qt. Parmesan cheese, finely grated (about 1/2 cup), full-fat, low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 2 cups), divided, uncooked sweet Italian sausage, preferably bulk. To cook from frozen: Remove from freezer. Cover and bake at 375 for 40 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160. 1. This pasta dish is so good! Required fields are marked *. Not. This would be very similar to my popular. Also, mix up the spice level by using different sausages such as mild, medium, or hot! I used a cheese mixture of two 8oz bags shredded mozzarella & one 8oz bag of 5 cheese Italian mix. Add pasta, and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Uncover; top with Romano cheese. Top with fresh basil and then serve! Not. Drain and cool, then transfer to a large bowl. There are so many great sides to serve with Easy Baked Mostaccioli as well! 5. Your email address will not be published. Drain and discard any excess grease. I omitted the onions because well, I hate onions haha! My mother even told me that she ate this pasta as a kid! Steps 1 Preheat oven to 350F. If you only use the equivalent of one jar of marinara sauce your pasta is going to be as dry as the Sahara at noon. Add the mixture to a greased oven-safe casserole dish, then top with the remaining cheeses and some additional dried oregano and basil. Do. Substitute the ground beef with a plant-based alternative or simply skip the meat entirely and use a plain marinara sauce. Becky woke up on her 30th birthday and realized she didn't know how to cook, anything! Help spread the word. Next, it is time to assemble your pasta and bake it. You want something quick and easy thats not from a drive-thru. Add 1 pound sweet Italian sausage (remove casings first if needed) and cook, breaking up the sausage with a wooden spoon or spatula into small pieces, until browned and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. You can use any medium shaped pasta in this recipe. Personally, I like to dump everything in a large bowl and mix everything together. You can even make this with meatballs if you have some! Both pastas use very similar ingredients and are differentiated by the type of pasta they used. Stir beef, vegetables and mostaccioli pasta together and have a wonderful dinner to serve your family tonight. Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 45-60 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and lightly golden on edges. If its overcooked to begin with, it will be mushy once baked. Stir in remaining ingredients. A good rule of thumb is that if the dish needs more than 20-25 minutes in the oven then you should start baking with foil to start then remove it later. It's perfect to feed a crowd or for a quick weeknight meal! This dish is easy to throw together on prep day too! Once finished strain the grease from the meat and then whip out your large skillet and prepare the sauce. Thought that was interesting they would substitute the main ingredient which is in the title of the recipe. A splash of cream softens the tang from the tomatoes and adds a bit of richness. https://askinglot.com/what-is-the-difference-between-baked-ziti-and-mostaccioli, The video is using rigatoni, not mostaccioli. Filling: In a small bowl, mix together eggs, cottage cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Crockpot OptionOnce you make the sauce and pasta you then can put everything together in the crockpot. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce heat. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef, green pepper and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Then top with the remaining 1-1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until tender. This is an excellent dish for a large crowd and worth the time to make! Absolutely! Add some of the water to the empty paste can and stir to obtain all of the paste from the can. To use, thaw in refrigerator overnight. Thank You! thoroughly cook your ground beef, and Italian sausage until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Of course, if you have more time let that sauce simmer and develop even more flavor. Add the marinara sauce and stir, simmering for 3-4 minutes. minutes. Mushrooms and spinach are super easy to toss into the mix! Add spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes with their juice, Italian seasoning, and salt; stir to combine. Subscribe to have posts delivered straight to your inbox!! Remove sausage meat from casings or use bulk sausage meat. If I use vodka sauce, would it mix poorly with any of the other ingredients? Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving. Cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 20 Birthday Gifts for Friends You Havent Thought of Yet, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted, 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided. Cover and freeze unbaked casseroles up to 3 months. Preheat the oven to 375. In a large bowl, combine the egg, ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese. Preheat oven to 350F. Thanks. Start by roughly chopping or dicing a white or yellow onion with a sharp knife. Also, how can I make this ahead of time without freezing? Add green pepper, olive oil, garlic, shallot and seasonings. MEAT Ground beef is our choice in this recipe as I almost always have it on hand. Put the flour, sugar . You can also jump to recipe. Tender pasta is mixed with a hearty Italian meat sauce and topped with a decadent combination of creamy ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses. Using ground beef or ground turkey would also be delicious. Remove the foil and cook an additional 20 minutes. Looks wonderful! Please view my photo use policy here. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption. When youre ready to bake it, pop it in the oven and bake accordingly. Cover and let this simmer for as long as possible (I am for at least 15 minutes). Also, I recommend adding an additional cup of marinara sauce to keep the pasta from drying out. Yes, basically the same! Cook beef, onion, bell pepper and garlic in 12-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. In a large, heavy bottom skillet, brown sausage and ground beef with 1 of the onions; drain. Go Cardinals!!! Help spread the word. In a large bowl, combine the egg, ricotta cheese, oregano, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and cup Parmesan cheese. Drain any fat. Make sure to scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. SpendWithPennies.com. Perfect Marinara Sauce: I love to use my homemade marinara sauce in my mostaccioli, but to save time you can use a store bought sauce. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Love how easy this is to put together on a weeknight. I will be making it for my wedding reception in May. It has everything I love about a good pasta dinner! Looks so good and tastes amazing. Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I love your recipes and this Mostaccholi recipe is divine! When the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook 3 minutes less than al dente, 6 to 7 minutes for mostaccioli or according to package directions. 4. To make the baked pasta: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate. Content and photographs are copyright protected. This is always a crowd pleaser for me as well! Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Nancy Mundhenke, Kinsley, Kansas. Everyone had a second serving and Im happy for sharing the recipe. LOVE that this was a hit! One would think we would get tired of eating it, but no, it is so good I could eat it hourly. While I dont recommend pre-shredded cheese for sauces, theyre a great time saver for topping cheesy casseroles. Mostaccioli is ahearty .css-1es3cx1{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#004685;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#004685;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1es3cx1:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:#595959;}baked pasta that's perfect for a weeknight dinner. Slice the sausage into slices and add them to the peppers and onions. Join our community of over 1.7+ million on social media! Let the casserole thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed. She started The Cookie Rookie as a way to document her journey to learn how to cook, one recipe at a time! Add Italian tomatoes with the juice from can (do not drain), puree and paste. I'll surely try this on our family dinner this Sunday. Delicious and great! Whatever you prefer just make sure all the noodles are coated with sauce. You can make the sauce ahead to save time. Prep and cover in the fridge. This post may contain affiliate links. Add ground almonds and incorporate with the dry ingredients. Im sorry that you didnt enjoy this recipe as much as we do Steve. 1 pound mostaccioli pasta 1 pound Italian sausage cup diced onion 3 cloves garlic minced 24 ounces marinara sauce 1 jar 15 ounces ricotta cheese 1 large egg lightly beaten teaspoon oregano 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided cup shredded Parmesan cheese divided Freshly chopped parsley for garnish Instructions Preheat oven to 350F. Even though we're not Italian, this rich, cheesy pasta dish is a "family tradition" for holidays and special occasions. The perfect combination of marinara sauce, Italian sausage, spices and of course cheese. 2. Home Dishes & Beverages Pasta Dishes Baked Pasta. Cook over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Place half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. a photo in the comment although we Any large tubular pasta will work for this recipe including rigatoni (what I used), ziti, or penne. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat. This content is imported from poll. When serving a hearty main course like this, I like to offer fresher side dishes to keep things a little lighter. Im so glad that you enjoyed this recipe Courtney! Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Drain and rinse in cold water. Cook COVERED for 90 minutes. Drain mostaccioli. Steam broccoli and top with toasted pine nuts for a delicious side dish to this easy pasta dish. Thanks, This is my kind of comfort food. Steps. We may earn commission from the links on this page. Preheat oven to 350. PRO TIP: Once fully baked, put the Mostaccioli under the broiler for about 3 minutes to make it browned and bubbly! Ground pork, chicken, or turkey will all do the trick. sweet italian sausage, remove from casing, (28-oz.) This option is great for parties. Cook the mostaccioli in boiling salted water according to the package instructions until it is al dente. I enjoyed making this for the first time. SO DELICIOUS! Baked, covered, for 50-60 minutes. In a large pan, heat up the oil and add the peppers and onions. Just follow the recipe instructions and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Hi, Im Becky Hardin. I intend to make the sauce for Pizza. Or, prep and freeze wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil for up to 3 months (make sure the date is labeled on the outside). This information will not be used for any purpose other than enabling you to post a comment.*. Make baked Mostaccioli, of course! Cook on the middle rack until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling. Toss the cooked pasta with 2 cups of the meat sauce and 11/2 cups each of the . The flavor the meat gives sets this pasta apart from its cousins spaghetti, and lasagna. Follow Domestic Superhero on: Facebook|Instagram |Pinterest|TikTok |Email. Your email address will not be published. We just had a party for my grandsons 1st birthday and I asked if I can bring anything. Dont forget to uncover the pan for the last 10 minutes of bake time! Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, brown the Italian sausage, onion, and garlic until cooked through. Do not overcook. 8 ounces pasta mostaccioli, penne, ziti or other short pasta cup pasta water 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound ground round 1 medium onion finely chopped 4 ounces fresh mushrooms sliced OPTIONAL 3 cloves garlic grated 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 28 ounce can tomato sauce cup fresh chopped parsley cup ricotta Find Out More! Drain and discard any excess fat. Dont forget to show me a pic of what you made! Place in the freezer. My family & I thoroughly enjoyed it. If your skillet with the sauce is large enough you could add your noodles to that and mix it that way. 3-4 cups cooked sausage** , drained and cut into bite-size pieces 2 cups mozzarella cheese , grated and divided Cooking spray Instructions Preheat oven to 350F and coat a large casserole dish with cooking spray.