Baked Mostaccioli

Lots of cooking has been happening lately, but unfortunately I've had little time to blog about it! I'll try to catch up...

I think in the Northeast, baked ziti is more popular, but in the Midwest we used to have this dish all the time. This dish is very simple to make and is perfect for a chilly winter night. You could definitely add in veggies, spices, etc. to suit your taste.

Baked Mostaccioli
Like my Grandma used to make...

• 1 lb mostaccioli
• 1 jar marinara sauce (I used tomato basil -- you can use homemade if you have it)
• 1 lb hot Italian sausage (you can also used ground beef or sweet sausage, if you prefer)
• 1 C grated Parmesan cheese
• 12 oz sliced mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions.
3. While pasta cooks, slice sausage and brown slices in a skillet until cooked through (alternatively, brown ground beef and drain).
4. Combine pasta, sauce, sausage, and parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Spread into a 9 x 13 glass baking dish coated with cooking spray. Layer slices of mozzarella cheese over the pasta mixture.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, or until heated through. Place under the broiler for a few minutes, until cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.