What is mostaccioli?

Mostaccioli is a tube-shaped pasta that has angled cuts on either end and a smooth texture. The term mostaccioli translates to "little mustache" in some Italian dialects. Its Italian name is actually "Penne Lisce." In Southern Italy, this type of pasta is considered a speciality.

Mostaccioli is usually cooked al dente and is commonly used in meals that contain chunky tomato sauces with meat, or it can be served with a creamy sauce or baked into a casserole. Pesto, marinara and arrabbiata are other common toppings. Mostaccioli is also a popular ingredient in pasta salads, such as pastitsio, which is a Greek pasta dish made out of ground beef and béchamel sauce.