Easy Baked Mostaccioli
Ingredients
1 (12-ounce) box mostaccioli pasta
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (25-ounce) jar marinara sauce
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or casserole pan.
Cook the mostaccioli pasta according to the package directions, until very al dente.
While the pasta cooks, in a large saucepan on the stove-top over medium heat, add the beef and onion. Saute until the beef is browned, about 6 minutes.
Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Drain the pan of fat.
Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, water, Italian seasoning, and sugar, and let simmer for 5 minutes.
Stir in the heavy cream and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Spread 1 cup of the sauce mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Layer half of the cooked pasta on top of the sauce in the baking dish.
Add half of the remaining sauce to the baking dish.
Add the remaining pasta to the baking dish in an even layer.
Top with the remaining sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
Bake until hot and the cheese is lightly browned, for about 25-30 minutes.
