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.
Ingredients
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
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