Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells with Garlic Cream Sauce
Ingredients
- 10 ounces jumbo shells
approximately 20-25 shells
- 1.25 pounds hot Italian sausage
casings removed if applicable
- 1 10-ounce box frozen chopped spinach
thawed and drained
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese
shredded, 2-3 cups
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic
smashed, not minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
Directions
- 1
Prepare Garlic Cream Sauce first so that it can be doing its thing while you’re cooking everything else.
- 2
Cook shells in liberally salted water per manufacturer’s instructions for al dente preparation. Drain and rinse then allow to drain again.
- 3
Meanwhile, crumble sausage in a large skillet and cook until nicely browned. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and place in a large mixing bowl.
- 4
Add drained spinach to sausage then stir well.
- 5
Add half of mozzarella then stir to combine.
- 6
Spray a 13x9 (or 14x10) baking dish with cooking spray. Stuff shells with sausage mixture then arrange in baking dish. If you have any sausage mixture left over, just spoon it in between the shells. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella over shells.
- 7
Remove garlic pieces from garlic cream sauce then spoon sauce into and over stuffed shells. Cover dish with aluminum foil then bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted.
- 8
Garnish with additional fresh grated parmesan if desired.
- 9
Add cream and smashed garlic to a saucepan then cook over medium heat until simmering, stirring occasionally (to smash your garlic, just lay your chef’s knife over each clove and give it a good whack or two).
- 10
Once sauce begins to simmer, add salt and nutmeg then reduce heat to medium-low. Continue simmering, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until sauce coats the back of a spoon, stirring occasionally.
- 11
Whisk in parmesan cheese then continue cooking over low heat for 2 minutes. Remove from heat until ready to use.
Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells with Garlic Cream Sauce
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About this Recipe
Craving a deeply satisfying, comforting meal that feels special but comes together with surprising ease? These Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells with Garlic Cream Sauce deliver that perfect blend of rustic charm and incredible flavor, making any weeknight feel like a celebration.
This recipe shines by combining robust hot Italian sausage and fresh spinach inside tender jumbo shells, all brought together by a quick, scratch-made garlic cream sauce. It’s a complete meal in one dish that’s both flavorful and incredibly satisfying, proving that simple ingredients can create something truly extraordinary.
Expect a symphony of textures and tastes. Each jumbo shell is generously filled with a savory blend of seasoned hot Italian sausage, vibrant spinach, and gooey fresh mozzarella. This hearty filling is nestled under a luxurious, velvety garlic cream sauce, enriched with the subtle warmth of nutmeg and finished with sharp Parmesan. The smashed garlic in the cream sauce ensures a mellow, aromatic backdrop that enhances without overpowering, leaving you with a wonderfully balanced and deeply comforting dish.
For a milder flavor, you can swap the hot Italian sausage for a sweet or mild variety. If you prefer to keep it vegetarian, a plant-based ground meat alternative or a hearty mushroom and lentil mix can be used instead of sausage. Don't have fresh mozzarella? Shredded pre-packaged mozzarella will work, though the fresh variety melts with a superior creaminess. You could also stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the sausage for an extra kick.
These Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells with Garlic Cream Sauce are perfect for a cozy family dinner, a gathering with friends, or as a show-stopping dish for a Sunday supper. Serve them with a simple green salad and crusty bread to sop up every last drop of that amazing sauce.