Mostaccioli (w/ vegetarian options)
Makes (homes):
12 portions
1 (9 x 13") pan
Makes (centers):
48 portions
2 (12 x 20 x 2 1/2") pans
Ingredients (homes):
- 3 cups spaghetti sauce
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 (15 oz.) carton ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces shredded Mozzarella cheese (about 2 cups)
- 1 pound (dry weight) enriched penne pasta (OR use whole wheat for a whole grain OR use brown rice or quinoa pasta for a gluten-free option)
- 3 cups water
- 1 pound Italian pork sausage, cooked, crumbled OR 8 oz. eq. meatless crumbles (*CN/PFS REQUIRED to claim meatless crumbles)
- 2 ounces Parmesan or Romano cheese, grated (about 1/2 cup)
Ingredients (centers):
- 3 quarts spaghetti sauce
- 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 4 (15 oz.) cartons ricotta cheese
- 2 pounds shredded Mozzarella cheese (about 2 quarts)
- 4 pounds (dry weight) enriched penne pasta (OR use whole wheat for a whole grain OR use brown rice or quinoa pasta for a gluten-free option)
- 3 quarts water
- 4 pounds Italian pork sausage, cooked, crumbled OR 32 oz. eq. meatless crumbles (*CN/PFS REQUIRED to claim meatless crumbles)
- 8 ounces Parmesan or Romano cheese, grated (about 1 pint)
Directions:
- Spray pan(s) with nonstick spray.
- Mix spaghetti sauce, egg, ricotta, and mozzarella in the bottom of pan(s).
- Mix in dry noodles.
- Pour water on top. Sprinkle with sausage/crumbles and parmesan/romano cheese.
- Cover with foil. Bake at 375°F until liquid is absorbed and a food thermometer reads 165°F, about 1 hour for a 9x13" pan. If liquid remains at the end of cooking, remove foil and bake 15 minutes longer.
Serve:
1 portion counts as 2 oz. eq. meat/alternate, 1 oz. eq. grain, and 1/4 cup vegetable.
*Login to www.daycareresources.org > Training > Product Info/CN Labels to find products with a Product Formulation Statement (PFS) on file.
Meal:
Lunch & Dinner
CACFP Credit:
Grain
Meat & Meat Alternate
Record on your menu as:
Penne Pasta (Bread and Bread Alternate Food List # 115)
Mozzarella Cheese (Meat and Meat Alternate Food List # 85)
Spaghetti Sauce (Vegetable Food List # 228)
Source:
DCR Calendar, December 2027 and tasteofhome.com, 2025.