Spicy Sausage Pasta Bake

Ingredients

• 4 cups rigatoni pasta or another short pasta shape ((14 oz/400g))
• 7 oz Italian sausages ((200g))
• 2 cloves garlic (, finely chopped)
• 1/2 cup mascarpone ((100g))
• 2 1/2 cups passata/crushed strained tomatoes ((700g))
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water ((125ml))
• 1 ball fresh mozzarella ((4.4oz/125g))
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes ((chilli flakes))
• 1 tsp oregano
• salt and pepper
• 1 small handful basil ( (optional))

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F/180F. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and boil the pasta around 3 minutes less than advised on the packet instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup (125ml) of pasta water.

2. 2

   Squeeze the sausages out of their skins and brown in the pan on a medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic, chilli flakes, oregano and basil. Stir into the sausages and fry for 1 minute.

3. 3

   Add the passata (crushed strained tomatoes) along with the reserved pasta water and a good pinch of salt and pepper, simmer for around 5 minutes.

4. 4

   Turn the heat off and add the mascarpone, stir the sauce until the mascarpone is mixed in thoroughly.

5. 5

   Drain the pasta and add to the sauce, mix until it's completely coated. Transfer the pasta to an ovenproof baking dish and top with mozzarella. Bake in the oven for around 7-8 minutes or until the mozzarella is melted and bubbling.