Cheesy Sausage and Tomato Pasta Bake

Cheesy Sausage Pasta Bake

A rich, herby tomato sauce baked with melty cheese and tender pasta

Serves 4

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tin crushed tomatoes
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons Italian herbs
• 3 tablespoons garlic infused olive oil
• 450 g decased sausages (beef used here)
• 1/2 large onion (or 1 medium onion), sliced into strips (or diced, if you're bothered)
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cooking salt
• 1/2 to 1 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
• 1/2 to 1 cup four cheese melt or mozzarella
• 250 g small pasta, pre cooked
• 2 tablespoons roughly chopped sun dried tomatoes

Method

1. Add the garlic infused olive oil to a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and stir for about two minutes until softened.
3. Add the sausages and stir until browned and cooked through.
4. Add the tomato paste and stir for 30 seconds to coat.
5. Add crushed tomatoes, water, oregano, Italian herbs, salt and pepper. Do not add basil yet.
6. Add sun dried tomatoes and simmer gently for about 10 minutes, stirring often. Add a splash of water if the sauce dries out.
7. Stir in the pre cooked pasta and chopped basil.
8. Sprinkle cheese evenly on top and bake at 180 c fan forced for about 15 minutes until golden and melty.
9. Garnish with extra basil and serve hot.

Watch it being made

🎥 Watch the YouTube Short
📸 Watch on Instagram

Tips

• Use beef, chicken or pork sausages — all work well.
• If you want extra richness, add a splash of cream before baking.
• Add chilli flakes for heat.

Storage

Keeps in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave. Freezing is possible but pasta may soften.