Save 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 after a cold autumn day when nothing sounded better than a creamy, bubbling casserole fresh from the oven. Since then, it has become one of my family's most requested dinners.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 300 g (10 oz) penne or fusilli pasta
- Meats: 250 g (9 oz) smoked sausage (e.g. kielbasa), sliced into ½-inch rounds
- Vegetables: 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped, 1 red bell pepper, diced, 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Cheese Sauce: 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 400 ml (1 2/3 cups) whole milk, 200 g (7 oz) sharp cheddar cheese, grated, 50 g (1.8 oz) Parmesan cheese, grated, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Topping: 50 g (1.8 oz) cheddar cheese, grated, 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Dish:
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Grease a 2-liter (2-quart) baking dish.
- Cook Pasta:
- Cook pasta in large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown Sausage:
- While pasta cooks, heat skillet over medium heat. Add smoked sausage and cook 3 until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables:
- In same skillet, sauté onion and bell pepper 3 until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 more.
- Make Cheese Sauce:
- Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook 1. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and slightly thickened, 3. Lower heat, add cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until melted. Mix in Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
- Combine Ingredients:
- In large bowl, combine cooked pasta, sausage, sautéed vegetables and cheese sauce. Mix well.
- Assemble and Top:
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar cheese.
- Bake:
- Bake 20 until top is golden and bubbling.
- Rest and Serve:
- Let rest 5 before serving. Garnish with parsley, if desired.
Save The first night I made this, everyone crowded around the table and each bite brought big smiles. Now, they always ask for seconds.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a crisp green salad and a glass of white wine for a balanced meal. Garlic bread also makes a tasty addition.
Variations
Add a handful of baby spinach or frozen peas for extra vegetables. Substitute smoked turkey sausage for a lighter casserole.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven covered with foil, or microwave until hot.
Save This casserole is sure to warm you up and satisfy everyone at the table. Enjoy every cheesy bite!
Recipe FAQs
- → What pasta types work best in this dish?
Penne or fusilli pasta hold the sauce well and provide a pleasing texture suited for baking.
- → Can I substitute the smoked sausage for another meat?
Smoked turkey sausage or other smoked sausages can be used for a different flavor or lighter option.
- → How is the cheese sauce prepared?
Butter and flour are cooked into a roux, then milk is whisked in until thickened. Sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses melt into the sauce with mustard and smoked paprika for depth.
- → What vegetables are included in this dish?
Finely chopped yellow onion, diced red bell pepper, and minced garlic are sautéed to add sweetness and aroma.
- → Can additional vegetables be added?
Yes, baby spinach or frozen peas make excellent additions for more color and nutrition.