Italian Sausage & Risoni Tray Bake

Looking for an easy weeknight dinner that delivers big Italian flavours? This Italian Sausage & Risoni Tray Bake combines juicy Italian sausages, tender risoni, vibrant vegetables and creamy ricotta, all baked together in one dish. It's simple to prepare, packed with flavour and perfect for feeding the whole family.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• One-pan meal with minimal washing up
• Loaded with rich Italian flavours
• Perfect for busy weeknights
• Family-friendly and great for leftovers
• Features premium Italian sausages as the star ingredient

Ingredients

Serves 4-6

• 1⅓ cups dried risoni
• 680g tomato, basil & garlic pasta sauce
• 1½ cups chicken stock
• 120g Baby Spinach
• 8 thick Italian pork sausages
• 2 small yellow capsicums, thickly sliced
• 250g cherry truss tomatoes, cut into small bunches
• 100g fresh ricotta, crumbled
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup basil pesto
• Mixed salad leaves, to serve

Method

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced).

Place the risoni into a large baking tray or casserole dish. Pour over the pasta sauce and chicken stock, then stir well to combine.

Cover tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes.

Step 2

Remove the foil and stir through the shredded silverbeet.

Arrange the Italian sausages and sliced capsicum on top of the risoni mixture. Return to the oven and bake for 10 minutes.

Add the cherry tomatoes and continue baking for a further 15-20 minutes, or until the sausages are golden brown and cooked through and the risoni is tender.

Step 3

Remove from the oven and sprinkle with crumbled ricotta and fresh basil leaves.

Drizzle generously with basil pesto and serve alongside a fresh mixed leaf salad.

Tips for Success

• If the risoni looks a little dry during cooking, add a splash of extra chicken stock.
• For extra heat, add a pinch of chilli flakes.
  
• Leftovers make an excellent lunch the next day.

The Secret to This Dish

Quality Italian sausages bring incredible flavour to this tray bake. As they cook, their juices infuse the risoni and sauce, creating a rich and comforting meal that's guaranteed to become a family favourite.