This hearty sausage pasta bake loaded with rich Italian sausage and melty cheese is perfect for feeding a crowd or for freezer meal prep.
A warm and cheesy pasta bake is never a bad idea! This Italian sausage version is hearty, comforting, and seriously hard to beat. I usually stash a few portions in the freezer for those nights I just can’t be bothered.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Comfort food classic: Saucy pasta, Italian sausage, and melty cheese baked until bubbly. It’s hard to mess this one up.
- Great for meal prep: Make it once and eat it all week, or stash it in the freezer for future you.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Olive oil – avocado oil or any neutral cooking oil
- Yellow onion – white onion or shallots
- Italian sausage – mild or hot sausage, turkey sausage, or plant-based sausage
- Garlic – fresh is best but store-bought minced or garlic powder work in a pinch
- Italian seasoning – homemade or store-bought or use dried basil and oregano
- Bell peppers – any colour, or swap for zucchini or mushrooms
- Rigatoni – penne, ziti, or rotini
- Pasta sauce – you’re fave store-bought marinara
- Mozzarella cheese – provolone, cheddar, parmesan or an Italian blend
- Fresh basil – parsley or leave it off
How to make a sausage pasta bake
Step 1: Cook the pasta.
Cook the pasta until very al dente.
Step 2: Brown the sausage.
Brown the sausage meat in a skillet.
Step 3: Add veggies and seasoning.
Sauté onions, garlic, seasoning and peppers with the sausage.
Step 4: Add sauce and pasta.
Now add the marinara and pasta then stir until coated.
Step 5: Add to a baking dish.
Dump everything into a baking dish, top with cheese and bake.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy!
Remove from oven, let sit, then serve and enjoy!
Recipe tips & variations
Here are my top tips and variations to ensure your sausage pasta bake turns out amazing every time:
- Undercook the pasta: Keep it very al dente so it doesn’t get mushy after baking.
- Brown the sausage well: Let it get some colour for extra flavour before adding sauce.
- Add veggies: Mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini mix in beautifully and boost the nutritional value of the meal.
- Extra cheesy: Mix ricotta into the sauce for extra creaminess or top with Parmesan for extra flavour.
- Make it spicy: Use hot Italian sausage or add chili flakes to the base.
- Let it rest: Let the pasta sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make this ahead of time and freeze it too?
Absolutely. You can prep ingredients ahead to make assembly quick, or fully assemble the pasta bake, cover it, and store it in the fridge so it’s ready to pop in the oven later. You can also freeze it the same way just add the cheese, cover tightly, and freeze.
What can I use instead of sausage?
You can swap the Italian sausage for ground beef, ground turkey, or chicken sausage, just be sure to add seasonings for flavour. For a vegetarian option, use plant-based sausage or sautéed mushrooms for a hearty swap.
What’s the best pasta to use for a pasta bake?
Short, sturdy pasta works best for pasta bakes. Rigatoni is my go-to, but penne, ziti, or rotini all hold the sauce well and bake up perfectly.
What to serve with this pasta bake
This sausage pasta bake is pretty filling on it’s own, but you could enjoy it with some of these sides:
- Green salad with a light vinaigrette
- Garlic bread or dinner rolls
- Roasted veggies like zucchini, eggplant and bell peppers
- Soup like my veggie packed minestrone
Storing and reheating
Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2–3 minutes, or warm the full dish in the oven until heated through. Add a splash of water when reheating to bring it back to life.
Freezing: Freeze leftovers in freezer safe containers for up to 3 months. If you’re freezer prepping, you can freeze portions before doing the final bake. Just add the base to the containers, top with cheese then seal and freeze.
Defrosting and reheating: Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake in the oven until heated through.
More easy pasta recipes
Sausage Pasta Bake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 lb Italian sausage casings removed
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
- 2 bell peppers any colour, chopped
- 1/2 lb rigatoni
- 24 oz pasta sauce
- Fresh basil for garnish
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese grated
Instructions
- Heat a large pot of salted water on the stove until boiling. Add pasta and cook for 7 minutes until very al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, add olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage, breaking up with a spoon and cooking for 2 minutes. Add onions, garlic, Italian seasoning and salt & pepper, sauteing another 5 minutes. Add bell pepper, sauteeing another 2 minutes, then add pasta and pasta sauce, tossing everything to combine.
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray, then add pasta mixture and top with grated mozzarella.
- Bake for 20 minutes until cheese has melted, then remove and let cool for 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh basil. Serve and enjoy!
Comments & Reviews
Renee Amaral says
This sausage pasta bake is so easy and comforting!