Sausage pasta bake- no. 1 dinner recipe
Sausage pasta bake is one of those magical dishes that hits all the right notes—creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor. Imagine tender pasta smothered in a rich, velvety sauce, layered with savory, golden-browned sausage and sweet, caramelized roasted vegetables, and topped with a generous shower of nutty, melting Parmesan. Each bite is a perfect balance of creamy, cheesy indulgence and hearty, satisfying goodness, making it a guaranteed family favorite. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table with big smiles.
What makes this recipe even better is how incredibly easy it is to prepare. With less than 20 minutes of prep, you can chop your vegetables, brown the sausage, and get everything ready to assemble. Once it’s in the oven, it takes just 30 minutes to an hour to bake into golden, bubbling perfection, giving you plenty of time to relax, pour a glass of wine, or catch up with the family. The smell of roasting sausage and vegetables mingling with creamy sauce and melting cheese fills the kitchen and makes it impossible not to sneak a taste along the way.
This pasta bake is versatile too—you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand, from sweet bell peppers to earthy mushrooms or tender courgettes, all roasted until caramelized and flavorful. The creamy sauce binds everything together, creating a luxurious texture that coats every piece of pasta, while the Parmesan topping adds a golden, slightly crisp finish that’s pure comfort in every bite.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, entertaining friends, or simply craving a cozy, one-dish meal that feels indulgent but is effortless to make, this sausage pasta bake delivers. It’s hearty, satisfying, and full of flavor, proving that delicious dinners don’t have to be complicated. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends alike, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a creamy, cheesy, vegetable-packed masterpiece that everyone will love—and it’s just as tasty the next day if you happen to have leftovers.
Sausage pasta bake- ingredient list!
Cut one red onion into eight wedges.
2 large peppers, red and yellow, seeds removed, cut into 4cm/1½in chunks
Two medium courgettes, cut in half lengthwise, and sliced thickly
One tablespoon of olive oil
Six sausages, each split into three pieces (around 400g/14oz).
300ml/10fl oz single cream 200g/7oz penne
50g/1½ oz of finely grated Parmesan or 75g/2½ oz of mature Cheddar cheese, salt, and freshly ground black pepper
Sausage pasta bake- step by step instruction guide!
Step 1
Start by preheating your oven to 220°C (200°C fan)/Gas mark 7, letting it heat up fully so it’s beautifully hot and ready to turn your pasta bake into a bubbling, golden masterpiece. A properly preheated oven is key—it ensures that the vegetables roast perfectly, the sausage browns deliciously, and the cheese melts into a luscious, golden crust that’s slightly crisp around the edges. As the oven warms, imagine the aroma of roasting sausage and melting cheese filling the kitchen—a hint of the comfort and indulgence that’s just moments away.
Step 2
Place the prepared vegetables in a large roasting tin (roughly 30x25 cm/12x10 in) and season generously with salt and a few cracks of freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and toss everything together so each piece glistens, coated evenly with seasoning and oil. Slide the tin into your preheated oven and roast the vegetables for 10 minutes, allowing them to begin caramelizing and developing a rich, sweet, roasted flavor.
Step 3
After 10 minutes, remove the tin and add the sausage pieces, tossing everything together so the flavors mingle. Return the tin to the oven and roast for a further 20 minutes, until the sausage is beautifully golden and cooked through, and the vegetables are tender with slightly crisp, caramelized edges. The aroma of sizzling sausage and roasted vegetables will fill your kitchen, promising a comforting, hearty, and utterly delicious meal.
Step 4
Half-fill a large saucepan with water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Once it’s bubbling, add the pasta, letting it swirl and dance in the water as it begins to soften. Cook for 10–12 minutes, or according to the pack instructions, until the pasta is perfectly tender but still slightly firm to the bite—al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, ensuring each piece cooks evenly and stays separate. Once cooked, carefully drain the pasta in a colander, letting the steam rise in fragrant wisps. The pasta is now ready to soak up the rich, creamy sauce and mingle with the roasted vegetables and savory sausage, forming the heart of your indulgent, comforting bake.
Step 5
Add the drained, tender pasta to the roasting tin with the golden-browned vegetables and sizzling sausage, letting all the flavors mingle. Pour the cream over the top, watching it coat the pasta and vegetables in a luscious, velvety layer, and gently toss everything together so every piece is coated in the rich sauce. Sprinkle the Parmesan (or your favorite cheese) generously over the top, letting it nestle into the creamy mixture. Return the tin to the oven for 4–5 minutes, just long enough for the cheese to melt into a golden, bubbling blanket and for the sauce to start gently simmering around the edges, sending irresistible aromas wafting through your kitchen.
Step 6
Serve immediately, spooning generous portions onto plates so everyone gets a perfect mix of creamy sauce, tender pasta, sweet roasted vegetables, and savory sausage. Each bite is warm, comforting, and utterly satisfying—a rich, cheesy, and indulgent dinner that’s guaranteed to bring smiles around the table. This is the kind of meal that feels like a hug on a plate, simple to make yet decadent enough to feel special every time.
Sausage pasta bake- recipe tips!
One of the best things about this sausage pasta bake is how versatile it is—you can add almost any vegetables you love! Sweet bell peppers, earthy mushrooms, tender courgettes, or even roasted cherry tomatoes all work beautifully, letting you tailor the bake to your taste or whatever’s in season. The roasted vegetables add color, flavor, and a natural sweetness that perfectly complements the creamy sauce and cheesy topping.
If you’re vegetarian or prefer a meat-free option, you can easily swap the sausage for your favorite veggie sausages. They roast just as well and soak up all the flavors from the cream, cheese, and vegetables, giving you the same comforting, indulgent experience—without compromising on taste or heartiness. This flexibility makes the pasta bake perfect for families, dinner parties, or weeknight meals where everyone has their own preferences.