Name: Jamie Oliver Sausage Pasta Bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 400 g rigatoni; 4 sausages; 50 g Cheddar cheese; 3 garlic cloves; 50 g stale bread; 2 tsp dried oregano; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 pinch dried chilli flakes; 3 x 400 g tins plum tomatoes; Salt and pepper to taste

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When it comes to comforting family dinners, this Jamie Oliver Sausage Pasta Bake hits every note. Juicy sausage balls, a rich tomato sauce, and a crispy, cheesy breadcrumb topping—it’s everything you want in a midweek meal. I made this on a rainy Tuesday, and the kitchen smelled absolutely divine. The textures were just as satisfying as the flavors. (inspired by Jamie Oliver)

Ingredients Needed

For the Pasta and Sauce:

400 g (14 oz) dried rigatoni
3 x 400 g (14 oz) tins of quality plum tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 cloves of garlic
1 pinch of dried chilli flakes
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Sausage Balls:

4 higher-welfare sausages
1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Cheesy Breadcrumb Topping:

50 g (1.76 oz) stale bread
50 g (1.76 oz) mature Cheddar cheese
1 garlic clove
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Drizzle of olive oil

How To Make Jamie Oliver Sausage Pasta Bake

Preheat the Oven:
Get your oven going at 200ºC/400ºF/gas 6. This gives you time to prep everything else while it heats up.

Make the Topping:
Tear or blitz the stale bread into rough crumbs. Grate the Cheddar cheese and slice one clove of garlic finely. Toss these together with some dried oregano, a bit of salt and pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Set aside—this is your crispy golden finish!

Shape the Sausage Balls:
Remove the sausage meat from the casings and divide each into four equal parts. Roll into small balls and place in an ovenproof dish. Coat lightly with oil and bake for 10 minutes until browned and cooked through.

Prepare the Sauce:
In a frying pan, heat the remaining olive oil and gently fry the sliced garlic, oregano, and chilli flakes until fragrant and golden. Tip in the tomatoes, season well, and let it simmer for 10 minutes, stirring now and then.

Cook the Pasta:
Boil the rigatoni but stop 2 minutes short of the package time to keep it firm. Drain and place in a large baking dish.

Assemble and Bake:
Add the sausage balls to the pasta, pour over the rich tomato sauce, and mix everything together gently. Sprinkle the cheesy breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top. Bake for 15 minutes until golden, bubbly, and irresistible.

Why I Love This Recipe

I made this sausage pasta bake on a busy weeknight and was genuinely surprised at how easy yet impressive it was. The sausage balls add such a meaty bite, and the topping is just golden perfection. My partner went back for seconds (and thirds!), and even the picky eater in the house gave it two thumbs up. It’s now on regular rotation!

Recipe Tips

Cook Pasta Just Right: Undercook by 2 minutes so it doesn’t go mushy in the oven.
Even Sausage Balls: Roll them the same size for consistent cooking.
Taste Your Sauce: Always season your tomato sauce after tasting.
Crunchy Top Tip: Make sure your breadcrumb mix is well-oiled and evenly spread.
Make It Veggie: Swap sausages for plant-based ones and it’s just as tasty!

How To Store This Jamie Oliver Sausage Pasta Bake

At Room Temperature

Let it cool no more than 1 hour before storing.

In the Fridge

Pop leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

In the Freezer

Freeze portions in a sealed, freezer-safe container. It’ll keep for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating

Oven: Cover with foil and bake at 180ºC/350ºF for 20–25 minutes.
Microwave: Microwave on medium, covered, for 3–4 minutes, stirring once.
Stovetop: Warm with a splash of water or oil in a pan over medium heat.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories: 599
Carbs: 89g
Protein: 26.8g
Fat: 17.5g
Sugar: 14.1g
Fibre: 9.5g
Sodium: Moderate (depends on sausage and cheese)

Let’s Answer a Few Questions!

Can I use a different pasta shape?
Totally! Penne or ziti work just as well.

How do I keep the pasta from overcooking?
Take it off the heat 2 minutes early—it finishes in the oven.

Can I prep this ahead?
Yes! Assemble everything and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.

How do I make the topping super crispy?
Generous olive oil and even spreading help it crisp up nicely.

My sauce feels too thin—help?
Just simmer it longer! It’ll thicken up beautifully.

Try More Recipes:

Jamie Oliver Sausage Pasta Bake

Course: DinnerCuisine: British

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time