Delicious Sausage Stuffed Shells Recipe

Delicious Sausage Stuffed Shells

Get ready for a truly comforting and incredibly satisfying meal with these delicious sausage stuffed shells! This dish brings together tender pasta shells, a savory, cheesy filling, and a rich marinara sauce for a hearty dinner that’s perfect for any night of the week. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly simple to prepare.

These baked jumbo shells are brimming with a flavorful ricotta and sausage filling, topped with bubbling mozzarella and tangy marinara, creating a wonderfully cheesy and savory casserole experience.

Recipe Details

• Flavor Profile: Savory, tangy, and cheesy with herbaceous notes from the parsley and Italian seasoning.
• Texture: Tender pasta shells filled with a creamy ricotta mixture and perfectly browned, bubbly cheese on top.
• Total Active Time: Approximately 35 minutes
• Bake Time: 35 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium – requires a few simple steps but the result is incredibly rewarding.

What You’ll Need

To create these delightful sausage stuffed shells, you’ll need jumbo pasta shells to hold all that delicious filling, flavorful Italian sausage, creamy ricotta cheese, and plenty of mozzarella and Parmesan for that irresistible cheesy topping. A good marinara sauce forms the base and the finishing touch, bringing everything together beautifully.

Ingredient Notes

• Jumbo Pasta Shells: These are essential for holding the generous filling. Make sure to cook them until they are tender but still hold their shape.
• Italian Sausage: Mild or sweet Italian turkey sausage offers a fantastic flavor base. You can also opt for beef sausage if you prefer. Removing the casings allows for easy browning and incorporation into the filling.
• Ricotta Cheese: This forms the creamy heart of our filling, providing a smooth and rich texture that complements the savory sausage. Whole milk ricotta will give you the creamiest result.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Divided between the filling and the topping, mozzarella melts beautifully, creating that classic cheesy, bubbly finish we all love.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty depth to the ricotta mixture, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
• Large Egg: Acts as a binder for the ricotta filling, helping it hold its shape within the shells.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds a burst of freshness and a lovely color to the filling.
• Italian Seasoning & Garlic Powder: These dried herbs and spices are key to infusing the filling with classic Italian flavor.
• Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade marinara sauce. It serves as a base in the baking dish and a delicious topping.
• Salt and Black Pepper: To taste, ensuring all the flavors are perfectly balanced.

Add-ins and Substitutions

• Vegetable Boost: Feel free to sauté some finely chopped onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms with the sausage for added flavor and nutrients. Make sure to cook them thoroughly before adding to the filling.
• Spicy Kick: If you enjoy a little heat, use hot Italian sausage instead of mild or sweet. You could also add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ricotta mixture.
• Herbal Variety: Fresh basil or oregano can be used in place of or in addition to parsley for a different herbal note.
• Cheese Swap: While mozzarella is classic, a blend of Italian cheeses like provolone or a Monterey Jack could be interesting in the topping.

How to Make Delicious Sausage Stuffed Shells Recipe

Getting these delicious sausage stuffed shells ready for the oven is a straightforward process that promises a wonderfully rewarding meal. We’ll start by preparing our pasta and sausage, then creating that irresistible filling, and finally assembling everything for a perfect bake.

1. Prepare the Oven and Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. This prevents the shells from sticking and adds a layer of flavor.
2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook according to package directions until they are tender yet still have a slight firmness to them. You don’t want them to be mushy, as they will bake further. Once cooked, carefully drain the shells and set them aside.
3. Brown the Sausage: While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until the sausage is thoroughly browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease and let the sausage cool slightly in the skillet or transfer it to a bowl.
4. Mix the Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, the large egg, chopped fresh parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.
5. Combine Filling and Sausage: Gently fold the cooked and slightly cooled Italian sausage into the ricotta cheese mixture. Be careful not to overmix; we want to maintain some texture.
6. Stuff the Shells: Carefully spoon the ricotta and sausage filling into each of the cooked jumbo pasta shells. Don’t overstuff them, but aim for a generous amount in each shell.
7. Assemble for Baking: Arrange the filled pasta shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, nestled into the marinara sauce.
8. Top and Bake: Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are mostly covered. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
   • Pro Tip: Covering the baking dish with foil for the initial baking stage helps the shells heat through evenly and keeps the cheese from browning too quickly, ensuring a perfect melt.
9. Bake the Dish: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
10. Brown the Cheese: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, golden brown, and wonderfully bubbly.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t Overcook the Shells: Cooking the shells until just tender yet firm is crucial. They will continue to cook in the oven, and overcooked pasta can become mushy.
• Drain Sausage Well: Ensure you drain the excess grease from the sausage after browning. This prevents the filling from becoming too oily.
• Even Sauce Distribution: Spreading marinara sauce on the bottom of the dish is a simple step that makes a big difference in preventing sticking and adding moisture.
• Resting is Key: Once out of the oven, let the delicious sausage stuffed shells rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and makes it easier to serve without the filling spilling out.
• Generous Filling: Don’t be shy when filling the shells! A well-stuffed shell is a delicious shell.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of pasta? While jumbo shells are designed for stuffing, if you can’t find them, you could try large manicotti shells, or even layer the filling and sauce over regular pasta in a casserole. The method would need slight adjustment.
• How do I prevent the shells from drying out? Ensure there’s enough marinara sauce covering the shells before topping with cheese. Covering the dish with foil for the first part of baking also helps retain moisture.
• Can I make this vegetarian? Yes! Simply omit the sausage and perhaps add sautéed mushrooms or extra vegetables to the ricotta mixture for a delicious vegetarian version of stuffed shells.
• What kind of marinara sauce is best? A good quality, flavorful marinara sauce is important. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, choose one that you enjoy the taste of on its own.

Serving Suggestions

These delicious sausage stuffed shells are a meal in themselves, but they pair wonderfully with a variety of simple sides. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the shells. Garlic bread is always a welcome addition for dipping into any extra marinara sauce. For a more substantial meal, consider serving them alongside steamed green beans or roasted broccoli.

Make This Recipe in Advance

You can certainly prepare these delicious sausage stuffed shells ahead of time, making weeknight dinners even easier. Assemble the entire dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and bake as directed, but you may need to add a few extra minutes to the covered baking time since it’s going into the oven chilled. You can also freeze the unbaked assembled dish. Ensure it’s well wrapped and frozen solid. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking.

Delicious Sausage Stuffed Shells Recipe

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• Total Time: 70 minutes
• Yield: 6-8 servings 1x

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Description

Discover a truly comforting and incredibly satisfying meal with these delicious sausage stuffed shells! This dish brings together tender pasta shells, a savory, cheesy filling, and a rich marinara sauce for a hearty dinner that’s perfect for any night of the week. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly simple to prepare.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

20 jumbo pasta shells
1 lb mild or sweet Italian turkey sausage (or beef sausage), casings removed
15 oz ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2.5 cups marinara sauce
Salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook according to package directions until they are tender yet still have a slight firmness to them. Once cooked, carefully drain the shells and set them aside.

While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until the sausage is thoroughly browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease and let the sausage cool slightly.

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, the large egg, chopped fresh parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.

Gently fold the cooked and slightly cooled Italian sausage into the ricotta cheese mixture.

Carefully spoon the ricotta and sausage filling into each of the cooked jumbo pasta shells.

Arrange the filled pasta shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, nestled into the marinara sauce.

Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are mostly covered. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, golden brown, and wonderfully bubbly.

Notes

Don’t Overcook the Shells: Cooking the shells until just tender yet firm is crucial. They will continue to cook in the oven, and overcooked pasta can become mushy.

Drain Sausage Well: Ensure you drain the excess grease from the sausage after browning. This prevents the filling from becoming too oily.

Even Sauce Distribution: Spreading marinara sauce on the bottom of the dish is a simple step that makes a big difference in preventing sticking and adding moisture.

Resting is Key: Once out of the oven, let the delicious sausage stuffed shells rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and makes it easier to serve without the filling spilling out.

Generous Filling: Don’t be shy when filling the shells! A well-stuffed shell is a delicious shell.

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Cuisine: Italian-American