Description
Delicious stuffed shell pasta baked with a savory mixture of Italian sausages, ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese, layered with rich marinara sauce and Italian seasoning, perfect for a comforting family dinner.
Ingredients
Sausage and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausages (removed from casing)
- 3 cups Marinara sauce (homemade or high quality jarred)
Cheese Filling
- 2 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs and seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Pasta and Topping
- 12 jumbo pasta shells (cooked)
- 2-3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional: Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the stuffed shells.
- Cook Sausage: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Crumble and cook the Italian sausage until browned and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking during baking.
- Spread Sauce: Spread one-third of the marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Make Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cooked sausage, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, egg yolk, Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
- Stuff Shells: Carefully fill each cooked jumbo pasta shell with about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of the cheese and sausage filling. Place the stuffed shells in the baking dish on top of the sauce layer.
- Top with Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven at 350°F for 25 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes to brown the cheese topping.
- Rest and Garnish: Allow the stuffed shells to stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Cooking the sausage thoroughly before mixing it with the cheese ensures safety and flavor.
- Using a non-stick spray or oil on the baking dish helps prevent the shells from sticking.
- The resting time after baking helps the filling set and makes serving easier.
- Homemade marinara sauce can enhance the flavor but a good quality jarred sauce works well too.
- Feel free to customize with additional herbs or a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
