Save A hearty, comforting casserole featuring smoky sausage, tender pasta, and a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, baked until golden and bubbling.
I remember making this classic casserole when the weather turned chilly and everyone craved something cozy. The creamy, cheesy sauce paired with smoky sausage quickly became an all-time favorite for weeknight 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, freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Topping: 50 g (1.8 oz) cheddar cheese grated, 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prep:
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F) and grease a 2 liter (2 quart) baking dish.
- Cook Pasta:
- Boil pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown Sausage:
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook sausage for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables:
- Sauté onion and bell pepper for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Make Cheese Sauce:
- Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and slightly thickened (3 to 4 minutes). Lower heat. Add cheddar and Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted. Mix in Dijon, smoked paprika, salt, pepper. Remove from heat.
- Mix Ingredients:
- Combine cooked pasta, sausage, sautéed vegetables, and cheese sauce in a large bowl. Mix well.
- Assemble & Bake:
- Transfer mixture to baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar cheese. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Finish:
- Let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley if desired before serving.
Save My kids always ask for seconds when we make this recipe: it's hearty, cheesy, and perfect for sharing around the table.
Required Tools
Large pot, skillet, saucepan, whisk, baking dish (2 liter or 2 quart), mixing bowl
Allergen Information
Contains: milk (cheese, butter, milk), wheat (pasta, flour), mustard. Sausage may contain additional allergens (check product labels).
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 670, Total Fat: 34 g, Carbohydrates: 56 g, Protein: 34 g
Save 
Serve hot and enjoy your comforting casserole with a crisp salad or favorite side. Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day!