Description
Easy Pasta Bake with Mostaccioli and Meatballs is a simple and satisfying casserole featuring tender pasta, juicy meatballs, and melty cheese baked to perfection—ideal for a weeknight family dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb mostaccioli pasta
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 lb frozen fully-cooked meatballs (or homemade)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for greasing)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
- Cook mostaccioli pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, marinara sauce, meatballs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Pour half of the pasta and meatball mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use homemade or store-bought meatballs depending on time and preference.
- Can be made ahead and refrigerated; just add 10 extra minutes to the bake time.
- Add spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for added vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of dish
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 60mg