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Everyone loves pasta, and now that autumn is finally here it’s the perfect time to make some amazing affordable pasta dishes that the whole family will love. 

We know how hard times have been in the last 18 months since the pandemic, and whether you are just trying to stay financially comfortable or you are in a more troubling position getting debt free with Timberline Financial–  making affordable and easy food is crucial. 

If you are looking for some cheap, hearty and warming recipes to make this week, here are some of the amazing pasta dishes you have to try. 

Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake 

This simple and warming pasta bake is the ideal remedy for a cold rainy day, and everyone will keep wanting to come back for more! 

Ingredients: 

• 4 chicken breasts 
• 500g fusilli 
• 1 pint milk 
• 2 tbsp flour 
• 3 tbsp butter 
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning 
• 100g cheddar cheese 
• 100g breadcrumbs 
• 1 clove garlic 
• 1 tbsp parsley 

1. Cube your chicken breasts into bite size pieces. Place in a saucepan with butter, salt and pepper. Add Cajun seasoning and cook through. 
2. Add flour to the mixture until a thick paste is formed, then slowly add milk while stirring. Make sure the milk has a chance to dissolve the flour before adding more. 
3. Thicken the sauce for 5 minutes, and then add 50g cheddar cheese. Take off the heat. 
4. Cook the fusilli pasta according to packet instructions. 
5. Pour the cooked pasta into a baking dish and add your chicken sauce on top. Mix together. 
6. In a small frying pan, add your chopped garlic, parsley, breadcrumbs, and a little butter. Toast for a few minutes until fragrant. 
7. Sprinkle your breadcrumbs over the top of the pasta, and sprinkle some cheese on top too. 
8. Bake for 15 minutes covered and then 5-10 minutes uncovered.  

Sausage and Tomato Pasta Bake 

This irresistible sausage pasta bake recipe will be the perfect way to treat the family and fuel up after a day out in the countryside. 

Ingredients: 

• 12 pork or veggie sausages 
• 500g penne pasta 
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes 
• 1 tbsp tomato purée 
• 1 white onion 
• 1 tbsp mixed herbs 
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 
• 1 tbsp butter 
• 1 tbsp flour 
• ½ pint milk 
• Grated mozzarella 

1. Heat up a pan with oil. Chop your onion and add to the pan, sweating for 5 minutes until clear. 
2. Add herbs, tomato purée, and Worcestershire sauce to the onion and cook for 1 minute. 
3. Add chopped tomatoes, bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minutes. 
4. Place your sausages under the grill and grill until brown on all sides. Cut into small bite size pieces. 
5. Add butter to a pan and melt, then add flour and cook out for 1 minute. 
6. Add milk slowly as you whisk to dissolve the flour. Thicken. 
7. Blend your tomato sauce, and add in your sausage pieces. 
8. Cook the pasta and then add into the tomato sauce. 
9. Pour the tomato mixture into a baking dish. 
10. Pour the white sauce over the top, then top with mozzarella. 
11. Bake for 15 minutes until browned and bubbling. 

Baked Ziti

A simple baked ziti is a great dish to make for meal prep as well as for your next family weekend brunch. 

Ingredients: 

• 500g penne pasta 
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes 
• 1 clove garlic 
• 1 white onion 
• 1 tbsp tomato purée 
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 
• 1 tbsp mixed herbs 
• 150g mini mozzarella balls 
• 100g grated Parmesan 
• Basil leaves 

1. Chop your onion finely before adding to a pan with oil. Sweat for 5 minutes. 
2. Chop your garlic and add to the pan with onion. Sweat for 2 minutes more. 
3. Add mixed herbs, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato purée to the sauce and cook for 1 minute. 
4. Add chopped tomatoes, bring to the boil, and simmer for 30 minutes. Blend. 
5. Cook the penne pasta and mix into the sauce. 
6. In a baking dish, layer some penne pasta in the bottom and then add some Parmesan and mozzarella balls throughout. 
7. Repeat until you have used all of the pasta and cheese. 
8. Bake for 25 minutes covered until melty and bubbling. 
9. Top with some roughly torn basil leaves.