Absolutely! After assembling the dish, cover it with plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake according to the recipe, adding an extra 10-15 minutes if necessary.
What’s the difference between mostaccioli and penne pasta?
While both are tubular pastas, mostaccioli is typically smooth, whereas penne has ridges. This difference impacts how the sauce adheres to the pasta, with penne holding slightly more sauce due to its texture.
What can I use instead of Italian sausage?
You can substitute Italian sausage with ground beef, turkey, or a plant-based sausage for a vegetarian option. Each will bring a different flavor profile to the dish.
How long does baked mostaccioli last in the fridge?
Baked mostaccioli can last up to 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Be sure to reheat it thoroughly before serving.
Ingredients
1 lb box mostaccioli pasta 🍝
1 lb ground Italian sausage 🍖
1 (24-28 oz) jar marinara sauce 🍅
1 cup cottage cheese 🧀
2 eggs 🥚
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 🧀
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
1/2 teaspoon salt 🧂
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 🌶️
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 🌿
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). 🔥
2️⃣ Cook the sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground Italian sausage. While the sausage is cooking, boil the mostaccioli pasta according to the package instructions (about 10 minutes). Drain the pasta once done. 🍖🍝
3️⃣ Prepare the sauce: Once the sausage is cooked, stir in the marinara sauce. Keep it on low heat until you’re ready to assemble the dish. 🍅🍖
4️⃣ Mix the cheese filling: In a separate bowl, combine the cottage cheese, eggs, 1/2 cup of mozzarella, 1/4 cup of Parmesan, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir well until fully mixed. 🧀🥚
5️⃣ Prepare the baking dish: Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. 🥄
6️⃣ Layer the ingredients:
Add half of the sauce mixture and spread it over the bottom of the casserole dish.
Top with half of the cooked pasta.
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