Description
A comforting casserole combining Italian sausage, marinara, fresh spinach, and creamy cheeses layered over mostaccioli pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 large onion (diced into 1/2-inch pieces)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1.5 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3.5 cups marinara sauce
- 2.5 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 14.5 oz mostaccioli pasta (boiled al dente)
- 3.5 cups mozzarella (freshly shredded)
- 2 cups ricotta
- 1/2 cup Parmesan (shredded)
- 1 large egg
- Pinch of nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Brown the Italian sausage and diced onion together in a skillet over medium-high heat until the meat is cooked and the onion is softened, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add minced garlic, salt, and Italian seasoning; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in marinara sauce and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Boil a pot of salted water and cook mostaccioli pasta 2 minutes less than package directions for al dente. Drain.
- Stir chopped spinach and red pepper flakes into the sauce until spinach is wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and egg in a bowl; mix until evenly combined.
- Spread 1/2 cup meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish, layer half of the cooked pasta, then half of the cheese mixture.
- Add half of the remaining sauce, the rest of the pasta, the remaining cheese mixture, and finish with the last layer of sauce.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheeses for better melting. This dish is perfect for family gatherings and can be made ahead of time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg