Pin A hearty, comforting casserole featuring smoky sausage, tender pasta, and a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, baked until golden and bubbling.
I first made this pasta bake when the weather started to turn chilly and everyone craved something cozy. The blend of soft pasta, melty cheddar, and bites of smoked sausage has quickly become a family favorite, bringing everyone running to the table.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 300 g (10 oz) penne or fusilli pasta
- Smoked sausage: 250 g (9 oz) smoked sausage (e.g. kielbasa) sliced into ½-inch rounds
- Yellow onion: 1 small finely chopped
- Red bell pepper: 1 diced
- Garlic: 2 cloves minced
- Unsalted butter: 2 tbsp
- All-purpose flour: 2 tbsp
- Whole milk: 400 ml (1 2/3 cups)
- Sharp cheddar cheese: 200 g (7 oz) grated
- Parmesan cheese: 50 g (1.8 oz) grated
- Dijon mustard: 1 tsp
- Smoked paprika: 1/2 tsp
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
- Cheddar cheese (for topping): 50 g (1.8 oz) grated
- Fresh parsley: 2 tbsp chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare oven and baking dish:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Grease a 2-liter (2-quart) baking dish.
- Cook pasta:
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown sausage:
- While the pasta cooks add the smoked sausage to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for 3–4 minutes until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables:
- In the same skillet add onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Make cheese sauce:
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth and slightly thickened 3–4 minutes.
- Add cheese and seasonings:
- Lower the heat add cheddar and Parmesan cheese stirring until melted. Mix in Dijon mustard smoked paprika salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
- Combine components:
- In a large bowl combine cooked pasta sausage sautéed vegetables and cheese sauce. Mix well.
- Assemble and top:
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese.
- Bake:
- Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbling.
- Finish and serve:
- Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley before serving if desired.
Pin This recipe often brings the family together on busy weeknights when we need something filling and satisfying but also easy to put together. There are rarely leftovers–everyone goes back for seconds!
Serving Suggestions
Pair this cheesy pasta bake with a simple green salad for a touch of freshness or add a slice of crusty bread for mopping up any cheesy sauce.
Ingredient Variations
Stir in a handful of baby spinach or frozen peas for extra vegetables or swap in smoked turkey sausage for a lighter take on this classic bake.
Nutritional Information
Each serving provides approximately 670 calories 34 g fat 56 g carbohydrates and 34 g protein.
Pin This smoked sausage and cheddar pasta bake is sure to be a hit at the table. Enjoy its creamy goodness straight from the oven!
Recipe Questions
- → Can I use different sausage types?
Yes, smoked turkey sausage or other smoked sausages can be used for varying flavors or dietary preferences.
- → What pasta works best for this dish?
Penne or fusilli hold the sauce well, providing a great texture and flavor balance in the bake.
- → How can I make the cheese sauce thicker?
Ensure the roux cooks for a minute before adding milk, and gently simmer the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.
- → Is it possible to add more vegetables?
Absolutely! Spinach, peas, or other vegetables can be added to increase nutrition and flavor complexity.
- → How do I know when the bake is done?
Bake until the top is bubbly and golden brown, usually 20–25 minutes, then allow a short rest before serving.