Spicy Sausage Pizza Pasta Bake

Serves	6 to 8 servings
Prep time	30 minutes
Cook time	35 minutes
Total time	1 hours, 5 minutes
Meal type	Lunch, Main Dish
Misc	Child Friendly, Freezable, Serve Hot
Occasion	Barbecue, Casual Party, Halloween
Region	British
By author	Karen S Burns-Booth

Note

This tasty recipe for Spicy Sausage Pizza Pasta Bake is not your usual pasta bake or sausage casserole! Packed with lots of vegetables, the penne pasta is bound in a tomato sauce with chorizo, pork sausages and melted cheese - the oregano and basil adds to the pizza flavour for a fabulous family supper dish.

Directions

Step 1	Pre-heat oven to 200C/400F/Gas mark 6.
Step 2	Boil the pasta according to the packet instructions with a little olive oil and salt in the water; drain and set to one side in a large bowl.
Step 3	Heat the oil on a large frying pan and then add the lardons; cook over a medium heat until they are browned and crispy, about 3 minutes. Drain the lardons and add the cold cooked pasta, mix well.
Step 4	Add the sausages to the pan, which have been skinned and cut into small pieces, (similar to a meatball size and shape) and continue to cook until the sausages are browned and cooked through. Drain them and add the pasta mixture, mix well.
Step 5	Add the diced onions, diced peppers and minced garlic to the pan and cook for a further 5 to 6 minutes or until the peppers are soft. Drain them and add the pasta mixture, mix well.
Step 6	Pour the passata into the pasta mixture and then add the dried herbs, salt and pepper; add 1/3 of the grated cheese, mix well before spooning the mixture into 1 large or 2 small oven-proof gratin dish/s.
Step 7	Scatter the remaining grated cheese over the top of the pasta bake mixture in an even layer to cover all of the pasta.
Step 8	Bake in pre-heated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the pasta bake is bubbling and the cheese is golden brown.
Step 9	Serve with salad, baked potatoes and/or crusty bread.