Save to Pins A hearty family-friendly pasta bake loaded with savory sausage melty cheese and a rich tomato sauce—perfect for feeding a crowd on a budget.
This pasta bake quickly became a staple in our house especially on busy weeknights when I want something satisfying yet simple to prepare.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 450 g (1 lb) penne or fusilli pasta
- Sausage: 500 g (1.1 lb) budget pork sausages (about 6) casings removed
- Vegetables & Sauce: 1 medium onion finely chopped 2 cloves garlic minced 1 x 400 g (14 oz) can chopped tomatoes 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (or mixed herbs) 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional) 1 tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper to taste
- Cheese: 200 g (2 cups) grated mozzarella cheese 80 g (3/4 cup) grated cheddar cheese
- Garnish (optional): Fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Cook pasta:
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook sausage:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat Add the sausage meat and cook breaking it up with a spoon until browned (about 5 minutes).
- Sauté onion and garlic:
- Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
- Make sauce:
- Pour in the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste Add dried herbs chili flakes (if using) salt and pepper Simmer for 8–10 minutes stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens.
- Combine pasta and sauce:
- Combine the cooked pasta and sausage sauce in a large mixing bowl Stir in half of the mozzarella and half of the cheddar cheese.
- Assemble bake:
- Transfer the mixture to a large baking dish Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and cheddar evenly over the top.
- Bake:
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
- Cool and serve:
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Save to Pins This pasta bake has been a favorite for family dinners bringing us together around the table for a comforting homemade meal.
Required Tools
Large pot Large skillet Mixing bowl Baking dish (approx. 22 x 33 cm/9 x 13 in) Wooden spoon Chefs knife
Allergen Information
Contains Gluten (pasta) Dairy (cheese) and may contain eggs (depending on pasta and sausage used). Sausages may contain other allergens—check labels for soy wheat or other additives.
Nutritional Information
Calories 565 Total Fat 27 g Carbohydrates 53 g Protein 28 g per serving.
Save to Pins A delicious hearty meal you can prepare in under an hour easily enjoyed by the whole family.
Questions & Answers
- → Can I use different pasta shapes?
Yes, penne or fusilli pasta work best to hold the sauce, but other pasta shapes can be used depending on preference.
- → What sausages work best for this dish?
Budget pork sausages are ideal for flavor and cost, but turkey or chicken sausages provide a leaner option.
- → How can I add more vegetables?
Chopped bell peppers or fresh spinach can be stirred into the sauce for added nutrition and color.
- → Is it possible to prepare this in advance?
Absolutely, the bake can be assembled ahead and refrigerated before baking, or leftovers stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- → What type of cheese is recommended?
A combination of mozzarella and cheddar gives a perfect balance of meltiness and sharpness in the bake.