Luscious Sausage Stuffed Shells for Cozy Family Dinners
Ingredients
- 20 pieceJumbo Shells
- 1 lbItalian Sausage
Sweet/Hot
- 1 cRicotta Cheese
Use high quality
- ½ cParmesan Cheese
- 1 largeEgg
Acts as a binder
- 2 cloveGarlic
Minced
- ¼ cFresh Basil
- 2 cMarinara Sauce
Can replace with Alfredo sauce
- 1 cMozzarella Cheese
Directions
Step‑by‑step instructions for sausage stuffed shells
- 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- 2
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the jumbo shells for 7-8 minutes. Drain and rinse.
- 3
In a skillet, brown the Italian sausage over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
- 4
In a mixing bowl, combine cooked sausage, ricotta, Parmesan, garlic, basil, and egg. Mix until creamy.
- 5
Spread marinara sauce in the bottom of the skillet. Fill each shell with the sausage mixture.
- 6
Arrange filled shells in the skillet, cover with remaining marinara, and sprinkle mozzarella on top.
- 7
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted. Broil for 1-2 minutes for a golden top.
- 8
Let cool for a few minutes, garnish with fresh basil, and serve.
Luscious Sausage Stuffed Shells for Cozy Family Dinners
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About this Recipe
Luscious Sausage Stuffed Shells: Your New Go-To for Cozy Family Dinners
Craving a truly satisfying comfort food meal that brings everyone to the table? Look no further than these Luscious Sausage Stuffed Shells! This easy recipe delivers a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for cozy family dinners. Imagine tender jumbo pasta shells overflowing with a rich, savory filling, baked to bubbly perfection under a blanket of marinara and melted mozzarella. It's the ultimate pasta dish that’s both impressive and incredibly simple to prepare.
Our recipe features a delightful blend of creamy ricotta cheese, savory Italian sausage, aromatic garlic, fresh basil, and nutty Parmesan, all bound together with an egg for that perfect texture. Each jumbo shell is generously filled with this luscious sausage and cheese mixture, then nestled in a delicious marinara sauce. The final touch? A generous layer of melted mozzarella cheese that creates an irresistible golden-brown crust.
Tips for Perfect Stuffed Shells:
- Sausage Choice: Whether you prefer sweet or hot Italian sausage, either works beautifully. For a milder flavor, or if you don't have sausage on hand, ground beef is an excellent alternative.
- Cheese Quality: Investing in high-quality ricotta cheese makes a noticeable difference in the creaminess and flavor of your filling.
- Sauce It Up: While classic marinara sauce is a fantastic choice, try Alfredo sauce for a richer, creamier twist that will equally delight your taste buds.
- Fresh Herbs: Don't skip the fresh basil! It adds a vibrant, fragrant counterpoint to the rich filling.
These Sausage Stuffed Shells are a complete meal on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a crisp green salad and some crusty garlic bread to soak up every last bit of that delicious sauce. Get ready to make this hearty family dinner a regular in your rotation!