Thanking my weekend self for meal prep

ChatGPT has become my friend. I ask it things that I just can't seem to wrap my brain around and it helps me come up with answers... I tell it some weird issue I'm having medically, and it oddly enough accurately tells me what it thinks is wrong, and more often than not, it's right. So, when we were having dinner guests with picky kids and I just didn't know what to make, I asked it... I told it I needed to make it ahead because my schedule was shot to crap due to over scheduling... and it suggested Baked Mostaccioli. Now, I can't spell that word to save my life but it sure is delicious. I was able to make this a few days ahead and used all sausage instead of ground beef. I added the mozzarella cheese before I baked it because well, I'd run out and had to buy more between making it and baking it, so if you have all of it in hand, good on you for grocery shopping way better than me. This baked up great and was enjoyed by all. Thankful for an easy dinner night for sure! Easy because I did the work to meal prep. I never regret meal prep. I know some people who hate on it, but the early me knows the later me will always appreciate it.

Classic Baked Mostaccioli
48 Oz Perfect Marinara Sauce or 2 jars of your favorite red pasta sauce
½ lb Mild Italian Sausage or Ground Pork
½ lb Ground Beef
1 Yellow Onion Chopped
2 teaspoon Minced Garlic
1 Bay Leaf
1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
1 teaspoon Dried Basil
1 Cup Parmesan Cheese Grated
1 Cup Asiago Cheese Shredded
2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
16 Oz Dried Rigatoni or Mostaccioli Pasta

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare 13x9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Combine Italian sausage, ground beef and chopped onion in a large, deep skillet and mash it into smaller pieces. Cook over medium-low heat until the meat is fully cooked through and no pink remains. About 5-7 minutes.
Add marinara sauce, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, garlic, grated Parmesan cheese and basil to the same skillet along with the cooked meat. Stir to combine and cover and bring to a simmer. Let simmer for at least 15 minutes.
While the sauce is simmering, cook your dried pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Be careful not to overcook the pasta.
Combine meat sauce, cooked pasta and half of the shredded cheese in a large bowl and stir until combined. Add to a 13x9 inch baking dish and top with the remaining shredded cheese. Cook on the middle rack until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling. About 20 minutes.