Mostaccioli Casserole Oamc

Dive into comfort food heaven with this Mostaccioli Casserole OAMC recipe, a family-friendly classic that's perfect for weeknight dinners or make-ahead meal prep. Featuring tender mostaccioli pasta layered with a rich and savory marinara meat sauce, gooey melted mozzarella, and a generous topping of Parmesan cheese, this dish is baked to golden perfection. Infused with the tantalizing flavors of garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning, this casserole captures the essence of hearty Italian cuisine. Ideal for "once-a-month cooking" (OAMC), it can be prepped in advance, frozen, and baked straight from the freezer for ultimate convenience. With just 20 minutes of prep and a crowd-pleasing yield of eight servings, this cheesy, baked pasta casserole is the ultimate solution for busy nights or cozy gatherings.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 16 ounces mostaccioli pasta
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 as needed cooking spray

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the mostaccioli pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and ground beef to the skillet. Cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.

Step 5

Stir the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the cooked beef mixture. Let simmer on low for 5-7 minutes.

Step 6

Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread half of the cooked pasta evenly in the dish.

Step 7

Top the pasta with half of the meat sauce, then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the layer.

Step 8

Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Finally, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top.

Step 9

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 10

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Step 11

To freeze for OAMC, prepare the casserole as directed but stop before baking. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Label and freeze for up to 3 months. To cook from frozen, bake at 375°F for 60-70 minutes, or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2299.5 grams (2299.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3335

Total Fat 197.40g	253%
Saturated Fat 85.30g	426%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 574mg	191%
Sodium 6669mg	290%
Total Carbohydrate 191.90g	70%
Dietary Fiber 18.30g	65%
Total Sugars 32.50g
Protein 201.90g	404%

Vitamin D 32IU	159%
Calcium 2693mg	207%
Iron 20mg	113%
Potassium 1787mg	38%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.0%

Protein: 24.1%

Carbs: 22.9%