Save It 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 has become a weekly favorite thanks to its ease and comforting flavors.
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:
- Meanwhile 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 vegetables:
- Add the chopped onion and cook for 34 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 810 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 garnish:
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving Garnish with chopped parsley if desired
Save It Our family gathers around this dish during busy weeknights and loves the comforting flavors and easy prep.
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 It This pasta bake is perfect for easy weeknight meals and feeding a crowd with minimal effort.
Common Questions About Recipes
- → Can I use different types of pasta?
Yes, penne or fusilli work best due to their shape, but you can substitute with rigatoni or rotini for similar texture.
- → How can I make this dish leaner?
Swap pork sausages for turkey or chicken varieties to reduce fat content without sacrificing flavor.
- → Is it possible to add vegetables?
Absolutely. Adding chopped bell peppers or spinach can enhance both nutrition and flavor of the dish.
- → How should leftovers be stored?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- → What is the best way to reheat the bake?
Reheat in an oven at 180°C (350°F) until warmed through to help maintain the cheese’s texture and flavor.
- → Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes, chili flakes are optional and can be added or omitted based on your preferred heat level.