Description
Enjoy the classic Italian comfort of these Italian Stuffed Shells, filled with a rich blend of cheeses and savory sausage. Perfectly baked in marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella, this hearty dish is ideal for family dinners or special occasions. Serve with garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Ingredients
20–24 jumbo pasta shells
15 oz ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 lb ground Italian sausage
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 jar marinara sauce (24 oz)
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Filling: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground Italian sausage until browned. Combine sausage with ricotta, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a heavily salted pot of water. Cook jumbo pasta shells for about 3 minutes until softened. Drain and set aside.
- Assemble: Spread 3/4 of the marinara sauce in an oven-safe dish. Stir in red pepper flakes. Stuff each shell with the filling and place in the marinara sauce. Top with remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.
- Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Make Ahead: Assemble the dish up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Add extra baking time if needed.
Freezing: Freeze assembled but uncooked shells for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking. Increase baking time if cooking from frozen.
Vegetarian Option: Omit sausage and use additional vegetables or crumbled tofu as a filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 servings
- Calories: 320 kcal
