Mostaccioli Supper is a delightful, kid-friendly Italian casserole that's terrific for week night suppers. This tasty Italian dish makes up a homemade meat sauce and layers the sauce with noodles and cheese. It can be made gluten free or with regular pasta. Easy and delicious.
1 hamburger chopper to break meat down into tiny pieces while frying
1 sharp knife to cut vegetables
1 stock pot with lid
1 colander
1 wooden spoon
1 spatula
measuring cups
measuring spoons
1 9x13" deep dish glass baking dish not the clear pyrex baking dishes with only a two-inch side
aluminum foil
Ingredients
1 1/2lbs.93% to 96% lean ground sirloin
1largeonionchopped
1whole green pepper seeded, diced, I used a yellow bell pepper
15oz. candiced tomatoes, undrainedItalian style is good
12oz. cantomato paste
16oz.water
3wholebay leaves
1 1/2tsp.salt
3/4tsp.ground black pepper
1-2tsp.dried basilor more to taste
1-2tsp.dried oreganoor more to taste
1-2tsp.Italian seasoningor more to taste
1-2tsp.fennel seed
16oz. boxgluten free mostaccioli, cooked and drainedor substitute rotini, ziti, penne, fusilli or any pasta of your choice
12oz.Colby-Monterey Jack cheeseshredded, 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.
Use a hamburger chopper to break the meat down into tiny pieces while frying.
Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, water, bay leaves, salt, pepper and seasonings.
Cover and simmer for 10 minutes; discard bay leaves.
Meanwhile, cook gluten free pasta in a large stock pot in boiling water according to package directions.
Drain in colander.
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.NOTE: You can use regular pasta if you do not need to keep the recipe gluten free.