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    You are here: Home / Courses / Main Course / Sausage Pasta Bake

    Sausage Pasta Bake

    20 April 2023 - By Michelle Minnaar
    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Facebook51TweetPin27YummlyShares78
    Jump to Recipe

    If you're looking for a simple yet delicious one tray recipe, this easy sausage pasta bake is hard to beat!

    sausage pasta bake.

    Rich sausage meat in a delicious tomato sauce, topped with bubbling melted cheese, this pasta bake is a truly sensational one tray wonder!

    pasta bake in a bowl with fresh tomatoes next to it.

    Why You'll Love This Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe

    • The Mediterranean ingredients work so well to create a combination of flavours that is absolutely wonderful
    • It's perfect as a midweek meal or as a comforting Sunday lunch
    • It's all cooked in one pot, making it really easy to make and even easier to wash up afterwards
    • Ready from start to finish in less than 40 minutes
    ingredients for sausage pasta bake.

    Equipment Needed To Make This Recipe

    There are a few essential items you'll need for this sausage pasta bake:

    • Large frying pan – you'll need this frying pan to fry up your sausage pieces and onion, before adding the sauce and transferring everything into the casserole dish
    • Casserole dish – invest in a high quality casserole dish to make your favourite pasta bakes

    How To Make Sausage Pasta Bake

    frying sausage pieces.

    Fry the sausage pieces until browned on all sides. Set aside.

    softening onions.

    Gently fry the onions and garlic until softened.

    add pasta sauce to pot.

    Add the balsamic vinegar, tinned tomatoes, passata and chilli flakes. Let the sauce bubble for a few minutes.

    add sausages to sauce.

    Add the sausage to the sauce, along with some basil.

    add pasta to pot.

    Stir in the cooked pasta.

    cover with cheese.

    Top with cheese and breadcrumbs.

    cooked pasta bake.

    Bake until the top is crispy and golden.

    cooked sausage pasta bake.

    Serve immediately with a green salad. Enjoy!

    What To Serve With A Sausage Pasta Bake

    Sides

    You can't go wrong with some crusty bread on the side of a pasta bake! For real decadence, check out this cheesy garlic bread recipe. For something a bit fancier, try my pesto stuffed bread, or chia seed bread.

    If you don't fancy the carb overload and prefer a lighter side, serve it with a salad. My recipe for Mediterranean salad would be the perfect accompaniment. You could also try something like a pumpkin and beetroot salad.

    You could omit the onions from the dish and serve them on the side instead. These tobacco onions will bring a wonderful smoky flavour and make for a great alternative side dish.

    Wine Pairing

    I highly recommend pairing a good wine with this dish! Especially if you're serving it as a hearty weekend lunch – a good red wine will take your dining experience to the next level!

    An ideal wine pairing for sausage pasta bake would be a Zinfandel, Chianti Classico, Barbera, Valpolicella or a Pinot Noir.

    The acidity of these wines helps to cut through the creamy richness of the dish, while the fruitiness pairs perfectly with the savoury flavours.

    pan of pasta bake with with a portion taken out.

    Variations To This Recipe

    Make it meat-free

    This delicious one-dish wonder doesn't need meat to be delicious – vegetarians can easily adapt it by replacing the sausage meat with mushrooms, aubergine, artichokes or a different chunky vegetable with a 'meaty' flavour.

    You can also replace the pork sausages with vegan sausages.

    Make it lighter

    Bubbling cheese is a big part of the charm of this recipe. However, you can make a it lighter and healthier by leaving out the mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.

    Make it creamier

    Stir through two tablespoons of creme fraiche into the mixture before it goes into the oven to give this dish even more creaminess.

    Make it more tomatoey

    Add some chopped sun dried tomatoes to bring an extra rich tomato taste to the dish. You could also scatter some chopped cherry tomatoes on top for an extra burst of flavour.

    Popular Substitutions

    • Swap the sausage meat for a different kind of meat if you prefer. Chicken wings, thighs or legs would work.
    • If you're not a fan of mozzarella cheese or parmesan, you can swap them for a cheese of your choice. Feta would work in place of mozzarella, or any other type of sheep or goats' milk. Cheddar would be a good replacement for parmesan.
    spoon of pasta bake.

    Top Tip

    Cook your pasta 'al dente' to prevent it from going mushy when baked in the oven.

    What's the best pasta to use for sausage pasta casserole?

    My pasta pick for this casserole is fusilli, but any type of short pasta such as rigatoni or penne will do.

    How do you store sausage pasta bake leftovers?

    Pasta bake leftovers will last 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

    What kind of sausages should I use for this pasta bake?

    You can use any type of sausage for this pasta casserole. I recommend using the best quality pork sausages you can get – at least 75% pork in the sausage mixture. Maybe Italian sausages with Italian seasoning if you can get them. You'll certainly taste the difference!

    What do they call sausage pasta bake in Italy?

    In Italy, pasta bake is known as 'pasta al forno.' A sausage pasta bake is very popular in Naples and is known as 'baked ziti', made using ziti pasta, which is very similar to penne.

    Can you freeze sausage pasta bake leftovers?

    Yes. First, allow it to cool completely, then place it in a suitable airtight freezable container. Don't forget to label the container with the contents and data of freezing. You can freeze sausage pasta bake for up to three months.

    When you're ready to eat the leftovers, allow them to defrost in the fridge, preferably overnight. You can reheat sausage pasta bake leftovers by popping it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes (stirring halfway through) or in the oven for about 10-15 minutes.

    bowl of pasta bake.

    More pasta bake recipes

    For speed, simplicity and out and out flavour, you just can't beat a one tray wonder! Once you've mastered this wonderful sausage pasta bake recipe, try out one of these:

    • Chicken and leek pasta bake – another super simple pasta bake that’s ideal as a healthy, easy meal during a busy week. The flavours are simple yet work so well together
    • Baked seafood pasta – one for the seafood lovers! Prawns and crab combine for a succulent traybake that’s as comforting as it is simple to make
    • Bolognese pasta bake – a classic pasta bake with an incredibly rich taste. All the traditional flavours are here, from the tender beef to the melted cheese. Anyone can master it, yet nobody can resist it! 
    Print
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    Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe


    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    • Author: Michelle Minnaar
    • Total Time: 40 minutes
    • Yield: 6 servings 1x
    • Diet: Low Salt
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This sausage pasta bake is a tasty comfort food loaded with savoury sausage, tender pasta, and melty cheese. It's easy to make and perfect for busy weeknights.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 500g (2.2lbs) fusilli pasta
    • 12 pork sausages
    • 15ml (1 tbsp) olive oil
    • 2 medium red onions, sliced
    • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
    • 15ml (1 tbsp) balsamic vinegar
    • 400g (1 tin) chopped tomatoes
    • 500g (1 carton) passata
    • 2g (2 tsp) chili flakes
    • 150g (5oz) mozzarella
    • 50g (2oz) parmesan
    • 50g (2oz) panko bread crumbs
    • fresh basil, to decorate

    Instructions

    1. Cook your pasta in another saucepan according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Save a bit of pasta water for later.
    2. Skin your sausages by scoring down the side and peeling the skin off. 
    3. Cut each sausage into small chunks. I cut each sausage into 5 pieces but feel free to cut into more if you would like smaller chunks
    4. Heat the oil over a medium heat in a large frying pan. 
    5. Brown the sausage pieces in batches, then set aside.
    6. Cook the red onions and garlic in the same pan over a medium-low heat for around 5 minutes or until softened, stirring regularly. 
    7. Pour in your balsamic vinegar and stir well to get all of the goodness off the bottom of the pan and then add your chopped tomatoes, passata and chili flakes. Leave over a low heat to bubble away and thicken slightly.
    8. Preheat your oven to 240°C / 220°C fan / 460°F / gas mark 9.
    9. Add 30ml (2 tbsp) of pasta water to your sauce, then add the sausage and the pasta and stir well until all is incorporated.
    10. Tip everything into a large casserole dish and top with the cheeses and panko.
    11. Transfer to the oven and cook for around 10 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
    12. Sprinkle some basil over the top and serve immediately. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • You can use any type of sausage but I prefer the flavour of pork sausages.
    • Modify the amount of chili and balsamic vinegar to taste.
    • Feel free to use any pasta you have in the cupboard.
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 30 minutes
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Bake
    • Cuisine: Italian

    Keywords: sausage pasta bake, baked pasta with sausage and mozzarella, baked pasta with sausage, italian sausage pasta bake, sausage pasta bake recipe, sausage and pasta recipe, sausage and onion pasta bake, sausage and red onion recipe

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @greedygourmet on Instagram and hashtag it #greedygourmet

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kevin

      May 16, 2009 at 8:51 pm

      That is one tasty looking baked pasta!

      Reply
    2. Clare

      May 17, 2009 at 6:20 am

      Yum! Tasty and easy - so easy, in fact, that my 10-year-old son made this for dinner last night (with some minor help - dealing with boiling the pasta and putting it into / taking it out of the oven).

      He was thrilled to see that it came out looking just like yours, which we saw on Tastespotting yesterday morning.

      Reply
    3. Núria

      May 18, 2009 at 9:17 am

      Mmmm... Michelle, I could even give a bite to the picture... so beautiful! A delicious recipe :D. Thanks.
      If you want to see the Omelets roundup, it's now on!
      http://recipespicbypic.blogspot.com/2009/05/blog-your-omelet-round-up-find-your.html

      Reply
    4. Herman

      May 20, 2009 at 1:02 pm

      Do not have words to describe how good this turned out. Made it last night and got an avalanche of compliments.
      Herman

      Reply
    5. Renil M. George

      September 24, 2017 at 7:52 pm

      beautiful dish and you take such wonderful food shots!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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    about michelle

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