Budget Sausage Cheese Pasta

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 favorite at our family dinners especially when we need a comforting meal that everyone enjoys.

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)

Cook 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:

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:

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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Our family always gathers around the table and enjoys this bake especially during busy weeknights when we want something quick and delicious.

Notes

Add chopped bell pepper or spinach for extra vegetables Pairs well with a simple green salad

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 (per serving)

Calories 565 Total Fat 27 g Carbohydrates 53 g Protein 28 g

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This bake can be customized with your favorite vegetables or sausage types making it a versatile dish for any occasion.

Recipe FAQ

→ Can I use other pasta types?

Yes, penne or fusilli work best, but any short pasta holding sauce well will do.

→ What sausages work best here?

Pork sausages are traditional, but turkey or chicken varieties offer leaner alternatives.

→ How to keep the bake moist without overcooking?

Ensure pasta is cooked al dente and sauce simmers until slightly thickened before baking.

→ Can I prepare this ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the dish and refrigerate before baking; reheat thoroughly before serving.

→ What can I add for extra vegetable nutrients?

Try stirring in chopped spinach or bell peppers for added color and nutrition.