Mostaccioli Supper

Teresa Ambra

This tasty Italian dish makes up a homemade meat sauce and layers the sauce with noodles and cheese. It's kid-friendly and terrific for week night suppers. Gluten free.

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 30

Course Pasta Main Dish

Cuisine Italian

Servings

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs. 93% to 96% lean ground sirloin
1 large onion chopped
1 whole green pepper seeded, diced, I used a yellow bell pepper
15 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained Italian style is good
12 oz. can tomato paste
16 oz. water
3 whole bay leaves
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. pepper
1-2 tsp. basil or more to taste
1-2 tsp. oregano or more to taste
1-2 tsp. Italian seasoning or more to taste
1-2 tsp. fennel seed
16 oz. box gluten free mostaccioli, cooked and drained or substitute rotini, ziti, penne, fusilli or any pasta of your choice
12 oz. Colby-Monterey Jack cheese shredded, or sharp cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

In a small Dutch oven, cook beef, onion and green or yellow pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, water, bay leaves, salt, pepper and seasonings.
Cover and simmer for 10 minutes; discard bay leaves.
Meanwhile, cook pasta for two minutes at a rolling boil.
Turn off heat.
Allow noodles to stay in hot water for 15 minutes. (Noodles will continue cooking in the hot water).
Drain.
Spray a 9x13” baking dish with cooking spray.
Layer one-third of the pasta into dish.
Top with one-third the meat mixture and layer a cup of shredded cheese over top to completely cover.
Repeat layers two more times.
Bake, covered at 350° about 30-40 minutes until heated through.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

NOTE:You can substitute Parmesan cheese for the Colby-Jack cheese if desired. Almost any kind of cheese will work although using Colby/cheddar is quite satisfying even if different from the usual Italian pasta recipes that require mozzarella or parmesan cheese.

NOTE: You can increase the seasonings to a full two teaspoonfuls each, or add thyme, minced garlic, or marjoram in amounts you desire to increase the taste if you prefer more seasoning. If you like your casseroles with a little heat, add 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes to the sauce while simmering. Check the sauce for seasoning and amp up the seasonings to your personal preference.

NOTE: Cover dish with foil before baking to prevent noodles drying out.

NOTE: Ronzoni makes a wonderful gluten free pasta.

Recipe inspired from Taste of Home.

Keyword casserole, cheese, ground beef, main dish, noodles, pasta

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