Budget Sausage Cheese Pasta Bake

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 family favorite on busy weeknights when I needed comfort food without fuss.

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 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 & 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

Prepare 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

Serve:

Let cool for 5 minutes before serving Garnish with chopped parsley if desired

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My family gathers around this dish every weekend sharing stories and enjoying seconds.

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

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This sausage and cheese pasta bake is a satisfying meal that’s simple to make and perfect for any occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use different types of pasta?

Yes, penne or fusilli work best as they hold sauce well, but feel free to use other shapes you have on hand.

→ How can I make it leaner?

Substitute pork sausages with turkey or chicken sausages for a lighter alternative without sacrificing flavor.

→ What kind of cheese blends well here?

A combination of mozzarella for meltiness and cheddar for sharpness creates a balanced, creamy topping.

→ Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Yes, chopped bell peppers or spinach can be added to the sauce for extra color and nutrition.

→ How long can leftovers be stored?

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months to maintain freshness.