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 dish quickly became a family favorite especially on busy weeknights when everyone needs a warm wholesome dinner.

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).

Sauté Vegetables:

Add the chopped onion and cook for 34 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 1 minute.

Prepare 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 Ingredients:

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.

Serve:

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

Save

Making this pasta bake has become a favorite family tradition especially on chilly weekends shared with laughter and good company.

Notes

Add chopped bell pepper or spinach for extra vegetables. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

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.

Save

This budget sausage and cheese pasta bake is a delicious comforting meal perfect for any night of the week.

Cooking Questions & Answers

→ Can I use different types of pasta?

Yes, penne or fusilli work best due to their shape, but other short pasta like rigatoni or shells can be used.

→ How do I make it less spicy?

Simply omit the chili flakes or reduce their amount to suit your heat preference.

→ Can I substitute the pork sausages?

Turkey or chicken sausages are great leaner alternatives without compromising flavor.

→ Is it possible to add vegetables to this dish?

Absolutely, ingredients like bell pepper or spinach can be added for extra color and nutrients.

→ How should leftovers be stored?

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days or freeze for up to two months.

→ Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

You can assemble it in advance and bake just before serving, making it convenient for gatherings.