Sausage Pasta Bake

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

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

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

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

Gently fry the onions and garlic until softened.

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

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

Stir in the cooked pasta.

Top with cheese and breadcrumbs.

Bake until the top is crispy and golden.

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.

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.

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!