Cheesy Smoked Sausage & Mushroom Pasta Bake

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6)

• 12 oz pasta (rigatoni, ziti, or shells)

• 14 oz smoked sausage, sliced into rounds

• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced

• 2 tbsp butter or olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

• 2 cups milk (whole milk preferred)

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella

• 1 cup shredded cheddar

• ½ cup grated Parmesan

• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp Italian seasoning

• Optional: pinch red pepper flakes

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Cook the Pasta

• Boil pasta in salted water until just al dente.

• Drain and set aside (don’t overcook — it finishes in the oven).

2️⃣ Brown the Sausage

• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook sliced sausage until browned on both sides.

• Remove and set aside.

3️⃣ Sauté the Mushrooms

• In the same pan, add butter or oil.

• Add mushrooms and cook 5–6 minutes until softened and lightly browned.

• Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.

4️⃣ Make the Cream Sauce

• Sprinkle flour over mushrooms and stir for 1 minute.

• Slowly whisk in milk and heavy cream.

• Simmer 3–5 minutes until thickened.

• Stir in:

  • 1 cup mozzarella

  • ½ cup cheddar

  • ¼ cup Parmesan

  • Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning

Stir until smooth and creamy.

5️⃣ Assemble

• Combine pasta, sausage (reserve some for topping), and sauce.

• Pour into a greased 9×9 or similar baking dish.

• Top with remaining cheese and extra sausage slices.

• Add mushrooms on top for that bakery-style finish.

6️⃣ Bake

• Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes.

• Broil 2–3 minutes at the end for golden bubbly cheese.

Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.

🔥 Optional Add-Ins

• Spinach (stir into sauce before baking)

• Caramelized onions

• Swap cheddar for Gruyère for deeper flavor

• Add a little Dijon mustard to the sauce for richness