THREE-CHEESE MEATBALL MOSTACCIOLI

Three-Cheese Meatball Mostaccioli image

When my husband travels for work, I make a special dinner for my kids to keep their minds off missing Daddy. This tasty mostaccioli is meatball magic. -Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

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Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) mostaccioli
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 carton (15 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 jars (24 ounces each) pasta sauce with meat
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
1 package (12 ounces) frozen fully cooked Italian meatballs, thawed
3/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
Minced fresh parsley or fresh baby arugula, optional

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Cook mostaccioli according to package directions for al dente; drain. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix eggs and ricotta cheese., In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook beef and onion 6-8 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, breaking up beef into crumbles; drain. Stir in brown sugar and seasonings. Add pasta sauce and mostaccioli; toss to combine., Transfer half the pasta mixture to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with ricotta mixture and remaining pasta mixture; sprinkle with Romano cheese. Top with meatballs and Parmesan cheese., Bake, uncovered, 35-40 minutes or until heated through. If desired, top with parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 541 calories, Fat 23g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 105mg cholesterol, Sodium 1335mg sodium, Carbohydrate 55g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 34g protein.