Name: Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 12 oz fusilli pasta; 1 lb bulk Italian sausage (sweet or hot); 1 medium onion diced; 3 cloves garlic minced; 1 green bell pepper seeded and diced; 8 oz cremini mushrooms quartered; 1 ½ tsp kosher salt; ½ tsp red pepper flakes; 2 tsp dried basil; 1 ½ tsp dried oregano; 3 15-oz cans strained tomatoes (or tomato sauce); 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; ½ cup (about 4 oz) sliced pepperoni

There’s something about a bubbling, golden cheese topping that just draws everyone to the table — and that’s exactly what you get with this Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe. It’s a hearty, comforting meal that brings together savory sausage, tender pasta, and melty mozzarella in one satisfying bake.

The image shows a black rectangular baking dish filled with baked pasta. The dish has three main layers visible: a base layer of red tomato sauce mixed with small green and brown pieces, a middle layer of spiral pasta coated with sauce, and a top layer covered with melted white cheese and round slices of pepperoni evenly spread across the surface. Part of the pasta has been scooped out, revealing the layered texture inside. Nearby, on the white marbled surface, two white plates are stacked with two forks on top, and a glass with a dark red drink is placed close to the bottom left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this pasta bake is like a warm hug on a plate. Every time I make it, it’s a crowd-pleaser — whether it’s a casual family dinner or a potluck with friends. The flavors meld beautifully and it’s pretty much effortless to put together, which is always a win.

Simplicity meets flavor: Minimal fuss, maximum taste from Italian sausage and herbs.
Comfort food at its best: Gooey cheese and perfectly cooked pasta baked to bubbly perfection.
Crowd-friendly portions: Feeds a crowd easily, making dinner time less stressful.
Flexible and forgiving: You can play around with veggies or spice levels to suit your mood.

This image shows a close-up of a baked pasta dish in a black baking dish placed on a white marbled surface. The dish has three visible layers: the bottom layer is red tomato sauce with chunks of meat; the middle layer consists of curly rotini pasta coated with sauce, creating a mix of orange and red hues; the top layer is melted white cheese spread unevenly, with dark red pepperoni slices and small green bell pepper pieces scattered on top. The cheese appears slightly browned in some spots, blending with the pasta and toppings around it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This bake brings together classic Italian flavors with familiar ingredients that balance richness and freshness. Picking quality sausage and fresh veggies makes all the difference, and the mozzarella cheese ties it all together with that irresistible melty finish.

Flat lay of fusilli pasta twists, a small pile of bulk Italian sausage, a medium diced onion, three whole garlic cloves, a diced green bell pepper, quartered cremini mushrooms, a small white bowl of kosher salt, a small white bowl of red pepper flakes, small white bowls with dried basil and dried oregano, three small white bowls filled with strained tomato sauce, a mound of shredded mozzarella cheese, and sliced pepperoni arranged neatly on simple white ceramic bowls and plates, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Fusilli Pasta: Its spiral shape traps the sauce perfectly, so every bite bursts with flavor.
Bulk Italian Sausage (sweet or hot): This is your main flavor boost — I usually go for sweet unless I want a little heat.
Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth when softened.
Garlic: Because garlic makes everything better — it adds a savory punch.
Green Bell Pepper: For a slight crunch and a fresh, slightly sweet taste.
Cremini Mushrooms: Earthy flavor and meaty texture that complements the sausage.
Kosher Salt: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the other flavors.
Red Pepper Flakes: Just a touch for heat, which you can adjust to your liking.
Dried Basil and Oregano: Classic Italian herbs that bring authenticity and aroma.
Strained Tomatoes (or tomato sauce): Creates a rich, flavorful base for the meat sauce.
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: The star of the show, melting beautifully with a golden crust.
Sliced Pepperoni: Adds smoky, zesty bites — I love how it contrasts with the softness of the pasta.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What I love about this Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Sometimes I swap cremini mushrooms for spinach or add extra red pepper flakes when I’m in the mood for more kick. Feel free to make it your own!

Variation: Adding chopped zucchini or eggplant makes it even more veggie-packed and delicious — I tried this for a family dinner and it was a hit.
Make it spicy: Use hot Italian sausage and add extra crushed red pepper flakes if you like heat.
Vegetarian swap: Replace sausage with plant-based Italian sausage and double the mushrooms or veggies for flavor and texture.
Cheese upgrade: Mix mozzarella with provolone or fresh mozzarella balls for a creamier, richer cheese layer.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe

Step 1: Boil the pasta just right

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Cook your fusilli in salted boiling water until it’s al dente — you don’t want it mushy because it’ll cook more in the oven. Then drain it and set aside. Trust me, timing this step is key!

Step 2: Brown the sausage and soften the veggies

While the pasta cooks, sauté your bulk Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Break it into bite-sized pieces and cook for 6–8 minutes until it’s nicely browned. Add your diced onion, garlic, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Cook everything until the onion is soft, about 4–6 minutes.

Step 3: Flavor the sauce and simmer

Stir in the salt, red pepper flakes, dried basil, and oregano. Pour in your strained tomatoes and stir everything well. Let it come to a gentle simmer for about 3–4 minutes so flavors meld beautifully, then remove from heat.

Step 4: Assemble the casserole layers

Mix the meat sauce into the cooked noodles along with half of the pepperoni slices. Pour half of this mixture into your prepared baking dish, then sprinkle half the mozzarella on top. Next, add the remaining pasta mixture, followed by the rest of the cheese and pepperoni slices.

Step 5: Bake to bubbly, cheesy perfection

Cover the dish and bake for 25 minutes. When the timer’s up, remove the cover and keep baking for another 15–20 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown. This is when the smell will have you rushing to the kitchen!

Top Tip

From all the times I’ve made this Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe, I’ve learned that the biggest difference is in how you handle the pasta and layering. Those little details really take it from good to wow-worthy.

Al dente Pasta: Don’t overcook the pasta — it finishes cooking in the oven and will absorb sauce better.
Sarute the Sausage Well: Browning the sausage properly adds a ton of flavor and texture contrast.
Layer It Right: Cheesing between layers keeps everything moist and oozy in perfect balance.
Don’t Skip Covering: Cover the dish first to keep moisture in, then uncover to get that golden crisp top.

How to Serve Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe

Italian Sausage Pasta - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil on top right before serving — it adds a pop of color and a fresh note that contrasts nicely with all that cheese. Sometimes a little grated Parmesan goes on for extra sharpness too.

Side Dishes

This bake pairs perfectly with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with vinaigrette. Garlic bread or a simple bruschetta on the side also rounds out the meal beautifully without overpowering the main dish.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I sometimes serve this in individual ramekins instead of a big casserole dish—it feels extra cozy and gives everyone their own cheesy pot to dig into. You can even top each portion with a drizzle of olive oil or extra fresh herbs for that restaurant touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers go straight into an airtight container in the fridge. It stays moist and delicious for up to 3 days. Just let it cool before covering to avoid sogginess.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this pasta bake a few times for busy weeks. Wrap the dish tightly or portion it into freezer-safe containers and it freezes well for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, until warmed through to keep the cheese melty. You can also microwave, but I prefer the oven method for best texture and flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of pasta in this Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe?

Absolutely! While fusilli works great because it holds the sauce well, you can also use penne, rigatoni, or even rotini—just pick something with twists or tubes to catch the sauce. Avoid very delicate pastas that might get mushy during baking.

How spicy is this Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe?

It depends on the sausage you choose and how much red pepper flakes you add. Using sweet Italian sausage and skipping or reducing the red pepper flakes will give you a milder bake. For more heat, use hot sausage and add more flakes to taste.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can fully assemble the pasta bake, cover it, and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from chilled.

What’s the best cheese to use for this pasta bake?

Mozzarella is the classic choice because it melts beautifully and gives you that stretchy, gooey texture. You can add provolone or Parmesan for more flavor complexity. Fresh mozzarella is great for a creamier texture if you want to mix it up.

Final Thoughts

There’s a reason I keep coming back to this Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe—it’s just pure comfort and crowd-pleasing goodness in one dish. Hope you enjoy making it as much as I do and find your own little ways to make it shine in your kitchen!