Hey food lovers! If you’re looking for a hearty, mouthwatering dish that’s easy to make and packed with flavor, this Sausage and Garlic Ciabatta Bake is your new best friend! Inspired by @tastyhealthy_recipes, this dish brings together sausages, garlic, and ciabatta in the most delicious way. With a cheesy topping and a flavorful tomato sauce base, it’s perfect for a cozy dinner or meal prep for the week.
This recipe makes 4 servings, and it’s one of those dishes that’s super satisfying but doesn’t take a lot of time or effort. You can’t go wrong with crispy ciabatta, savory sausages, and melted cheese – trust me!
Method
Pre-heat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). This will ensure it’s ready when you need it for baking the dish later.
Cook the Sausage Mixture
Next, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onion, chopped pepper, and sausages (cut into three pieces). Stir occasionally, cooking until the sausages begin to brown and the vegetables become soft. This should take about 10 minutes, so don’t rush it—let the ingredients cook evenly. Afterward, transfer the sausage and vegetable mixture into an ovenproof dish.
Add Seasonings and Bake
Once the sausage mixture is in the ovenproof dish, stir in the paprika, mixed herbs, chili flakes, and salt and pepper to taste. This will infuse the mixture with aromatic flavors. Place the dish in the preheated oven and let it bake for 5 minutes, allowing the seasonings to meld and the sausage mixture to settle.
Prepare the Sauce
While the sausage mixture is in the oven, take a tin of tomatoes and a carton of passata and combine them in the ovenproof dish with the Worcestershire sauce. Stir it all together, ensuring the sausages and veggies are well-coated with the tomato sauce base. This will create a rich, savory foundation for your bake. Once stirred, place the dish back in the oven and let it bake for another 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
Prepare the Ciabatta Topping
While the sausage mixture is baking, slice the ciabatta bread into pieces. In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, the crushed garlic, and chopped parsley. Toss the ciabatta slices in this garlic and parsley mixture until they are fully coated. This will give the bread a flavorful, aromatic coating that will crisp up perfectly during baking.
Top with Ciabatta and Cheese
After the sausage mixture has baked for 20 minutes, remove the dish from the oven. Carefully arrange the garlic-coated ciabatta slices on top of the sausage and tomato mixture, making sure they cover the surface evenly. Then, sprinkle the reduced-fat mozzarella and grated cheddar on top, ensuring every piece of ciabatta gets a cheesy layer. For a little extra flair, you can sprinkle a bit more parsley and chili flakes on top. Return the dish to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the ciabatta slices are golden and crispy.
Necessary Tools
- Frying pan
- Ovenproof dish
- Sharp knife and chopping board
- Mixing bowl
- Oven
Sausage and Garlic Ciabatta Bake Recipe: A Flavorful and Hearty Meal
Cuisine: Italian, BritishDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes30
minutes45
minutesIngredients
2 tbsp olive oil
6 skinny pork sausages (79 calories each), chopped into 3
1 onion, chopped
1 pepper, chopped
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp mixed herbs
½ tsp chili flakes
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tin of tomatoes (400g)
1 carton of passata (500g)
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
220g ciabatta bread
5 cloves garlic, crushed
Chopped parsley, for garnish
80g reduced-fat mozzarella
20g 50% fat grated cheddar
Directions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Heat the frying pan over medium heat and add 1 tbsp olive oil. Cook the onion, pepper, and sausages until the vegetables are soft and the sausages start to brown. This should take about 10 minutes.
- Transfer the sausage mixture into an ovenproof dish. Stir in the paprika, mixed herbs, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Pop it in the oven for about 5 minutes.
- Add the tinned tomatoes, passata, and Worcestershire sauce to the dish and give it a good stir. Return it to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes.
- While it’s cooking, slice the ciabatta into pieces. In a bowl, combine 1 tbsp olive oil, crushed garlic, and chopped parsley. Toss the ciabatta slices in this mixture until they’re well-coated.
- After the sausage mixture has baked for 20 minutes, place the coated ciabatta slices on top of the bake. Sprinkle the reduced-fat mozzarella and grated cheddar on top, then add a little extra parsley and chili flakes. Pop it back in the oven for 5 more minutes or until the cheese is melted and the ciabatta is golden and crispy.
Notes
- When cooking the sausages, be sure to break them up as they cook to ensure even browning and prevent large clumps.
- If you want the ciabatta to be extra crispy, you can toast it for a couple of minutes before adding it to the bake.
- Keep an eye on the bake in the oven to avoid over-browning the ciabatta. You want it crispy but not burnt!
Serving Suggestions
This dish is perfect when paired with a side salad or some steamed peas, adding a fresh and colorful touch to your meal. You can also serve it with a side of your favorite veggies to make it even more balanced. It’s so filling on its own, though, that it can easily be a one-dish meal!
Fun Fact
Did you know that ciabatta bread, which is Italian in origin, was first created in the 1980s? It quickly became popular for its crispy crust and airy, soft interior, making it the perfect bread for this bake!
Conclusion
This Sausage and Garlic Ciabatta Bake is truly a winner when it comes to comfort food. It’s full of savory, cheesy goodness with a little heat from the chili flakes. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, this dish will soon become one of your go-to recipes. Enjoy the delicious layers of flavor, and don’t forget to share this amazing recipe with friends and family. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I did!
