Description
A cozy, one-pot comfort food recipe featuring jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a savory mixture of Italian sausage, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese, baked in marinara sauce for a delicious and easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (12-16 oz) Jumbo Pasta Shells
- 1 pound (450g) Italian Sausage (mild or hot)
- 2 jars (24-28 oz total) Marinara Sauce
- 15 oz (425g) Full-fat Ricotta Cheese
- 2 cups (200g) Low-moisture Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- ½ cup (50g) Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- Fresh Basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour about 1 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add jumbo shells and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse briefly with cool water to stop cooking.
- While pasta boils, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook Italian sausage, breaking it apart, until browned (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary, stir in minced garlic, and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, 1.5 cups of mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well, then fold in the cooked sausage and garlic mixture.
- Lay drained shells out. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling into each shell. Place stuffed shells in the prepared baking dish.
- Pour remaining marinara sauce over the shells. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup mozzarella on top. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
- Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow filling to set. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Do not overcook the pasta as it will continue to cook in the oven. Let the sausage cool before mixing to prevent the cheese from becoming oily. Ensure shells are mostly covered with sauce to prevent drying out. Let the dish rest before serving to help the filling set.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed shell with
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: stuffed shells, italian sausage, pasta recipe, comfort food, easy dinner, one pot meal, family friendly, meal prep