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Creamy Baked Mostaccioli With Ricotta

Hearty Comfort Food layered with creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and marinara sauce, perfect for family gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce
  • 12 oz mostaccioli pasta
  • 3 cups marinara sauce preferably homemade or store-bought
Cheese Mixture
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded divided
  • 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
Miscellaneous
  • 2 tbsp olive oil for greasing the dish
  • Fresh basil optional for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add mostaccioli pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are combined.
  4. In a large saucepan, combine the drained mostaccioli with the marinara sauce. Stir well to ensure that the pasta is well-coated with the sauce.
Baking
  1. In a greased baking dish, start by adding half of the mostaccioli and sauce mixture at the bottom.
  2. Spread half of the ricotta mixture on top. Repeat with the remaining components, finishing with the ricotta layer on top.
  3. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top layer.
  4. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
  5. Once done, let the dish cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil if desired, serve hot, and enjoy.

Notes

For a lighter cheese option, swap out ricotta for cottage cheese or use a plant-based alternative. Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms to the ricotta mixture for extra flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for 2-3 months.