Italian Sausage Pasta Bake

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A delicious pasta bake made from squished out Italian sausage cooked in a flavoursome, creamy tomato sauce with pasta shells. Then topped with cheese and baked until golden.

Large skillet filled with cheesy pasta shells and ground meat in tomato sauce. A green badge in the corner reads $20 dinners.

This creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake was part of my $20 dinner series and it's packed with flavour while still being super affordable. It's perfect for feeding a crowd and makes six generous servings. The flavour comes from the Italian sausages which are filled with herbs and spices. Meanwhile the sauce's lovely, silky texture comes from the cream cheese. For other amazing pasta bakes, be sure to check out our Bacon and Veggie Pasta Bake or our Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake.

Ingredient notes:

Ingredients for a pasta meal, including large pasta shells, grated cheese, Italian sausages, canned tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and an onion, with each item’s price labeled.

Sausages: This recipe was created using Italian style pork sausages. These sausages pack a punch in the flavour department as they are filled with delicious herbs and spices.
Pasta: I love using these larges shells because they're perfect for holding the flavoursome sauce.
Cream cheese: The cream cheese makes the sauce silky and rich. It can be swapped out for pouring cream, Greek yoghurt or sour cream but flavours will vary.

*The prices in this image were accurate as of 7 April 2026, based on shopping at Woolworths Taupō. Prices may vary depending on location, time of year, and seasonal availability of produce.

Step by step instructions:

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to packet instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, heat a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion.

Chopped onions and raw sausage meat are cooking in a skillet.

Ground meat and chopped onions cooking in a large pan.

Slice down the middle of each sausage and remove the meat from the casings. Discard the casings and add the sausage meat to the pan with the onion. Cook for 10 minutes, breaking up the sausage meat as it browns.

Ground meat, chopped onions, minced garlic, and dried herbs cooking in a large sauté pan.

Ground meat and diced onions are being cooked and browned in a large skillet on a stovetop.

Add the crushed garlic and dried Italian herbs, then stir to combine. Pour in the crushed tomatoes.

Cooked ground meat and onions in a pan topped with a layer of tomato sauce, ready to be mixed.

A skillet filled with creamy tomato sauce mixed with ground meat and chunks of mozzarella, with a black spoon resting inside.

Dissolve the stock cube in the boiling water, then add to the pan along with the cream cheese. Stir until the cream cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Ground meat in tomato sauce with two large portions of cream cheese placed on top in a cooking pot.

A pan filled with creamy tomato-based meat sauce, containing chunks of ground meat and visible herbs, cooking on a stovetop.

Add the cooked pasta shells and stir to combine. Preheat the oven to 180°C fan grill. Sprinkle grated cheese over the pasta then place under the grill for 5 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Uncooked pasta shells sitting on top of creamy tomato sauce in a large skillet on a stovetop.

A pan of cooked pasta shells in tomato sauce topped with shredded cheese, ready to be mixed or baked.

Serve with a side salad or seasonal greens.

A skillet filled with baked pasta shells in tomato sauce topped with melted cheese and pieces of meat, set on a rustic white wooden surface.

Recipe FAQs:

How do I make sure the pasta is cooked perfectly?

Always slightly undercook pasta for bakes like this. Once you place the dish in the oven the pasta will continue to cook.

Can I swap out the pasta?

Of course. Swap the pasta shells for penne, spirals, macaroni or even spaghetti.

Can I use different types of sausages?

Absolutely. The benefit of using Italian style sausages is that they have a lot of flavour in them. But if you want to use plain pork or beef sausages, just add some dried Italian herbs to the pan.

A woman smiles while holding a large green dish filled with baked pasta in a kitchen setting.

Storage:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Defrost and reheat until piping hot.

Top tips:

Swap the pasta shells for penne, spirals, macaroni or even spaghetti.
Cook pasta slightly under the recommended time so it doesn't overcook once added to the sauce.

Related Recipes:

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Italian Sausage Pasta Bake

Yield: Serves 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

A delicious pasta bake made from squished out Italian sausage cooked in a flavoursome, creamy tomato sauce with pasta shells.

Ingredients

500g pasta shells
1 onion, finely diced
450 g Italian style pork sausages
2 tsp crushed garlic
1 tsp dried Italian herbs
1 x 400g can crushed tomatoes
1 vegetable stock cube
250ml boiling water
150g cream cheese
100g grated cheese

Instructions

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to packet instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion.
Slice down the middle of each sausage and remove the meat from the casings. Discard the casings and add the sausage meat to the pan with the onion. Cook for 10 minutes, breaking up the sausage meat as it browns.
Add the crushed garlic and dried Italian herbs, then stir to combine. Pour in the crushed tomatoes.
Dissolve the stock cube in the boiling water, then add to the pan along with the cream cheese. Stir until the cream cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Add the cooked pasta shells and stir to combine.
Preheat the oven to 180°C fan grill. Sprinkle grated cheese over the pasta then place under the grill for 5 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Serve with a side salad or seasonal greens.

Notes

Swap the pasta shells for penne, spirals, macaroni or even spaghetti.
Cook pasta slightly under the recommended time so it doesn’t overcook once added to the sauce.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 553Total Fat: 36gSaturated Fat: 15gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 956mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 25g

Nutritional values are approximate. Please use your own calculations if you require a special diet.

Thank you for checking out this recipe. I hope you enjoy making and eating it! If you have any questions, queries or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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Vanya