Not everyone in my household likes stuffed shells, something about too much cheese. And I know the title says sausage and cheese stuffed shells but they aren’t actually stuffed with sausage. Anyway, I thought I would change the recipe up a little to add some different flavors. I Started by cooking up the shells and setting them aside, while those where cooking I mixed up the ricotta mixture and put in the fridge for later.
Here’s where this recipe gets a little different. Cook up some mild bulk sausage with a little garlic and oil. Once the sausage is done throw in some fresh spinach and mix it up. Once this is done it can be set aside too. In a 9×13 dish add some sauce for the bottom layer then scoop out the spinach mixture and cover completely. I used a slotted spoon so that I could limit the amount of grease added.
Stuff the shells with as much filling as desired, about a spoonful. Place the stuffed shells on top of the sausage mixture. Add another layer of sauce over the shells, do not smother. Now we take the remaining spinach mixture and lay it across evenly over the shells. Sprinkle some mozzarella, parmesan, and Italian seasoning over top and bake. The next step is to just enjoy!
Sausage and Cheese Stuffed Shells
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This a a great way to change up the same old stuffed shells. We add some sausage and spinach and a ton of flavor.
Ingredients
3 C – Spaghetti sauce(try our homemade sauce)
20–25 – Jumbo shells(20 is required add extra in case some break)
1 lb. – Italian bulk sausage
15 oz. – Ricotta cheese
1 – egg
2 C – Fresh spinach
5 tsp – Minced garlic
8 oz. – Shredded Mozzarella
1/2 C – Parmesan cheese
1 TB – Parsley
1 TB – Basil
1 tsp – Italian seasoning
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350
Cook the shells in a large pot of boiling water and set aside
Ricotta mixture
- In a med mixing bowl add Ricotta, egg, mozzarella(save 1/3 cup for topping) mix well
- Add 3 tsp of garlic, parmesan, parsley and basil, mix well and refrigerate
Sausage mixture
- In a med size fry pan brown garlic in oil on med heat
- Add sausage and cook until brown
- Add spinach and mix until spinach is wilted then set aside
Stuffing the Shells
- In a 9×13 dish layer the bottom with enough sauce to cover
- Spoon out sausage mixture and lay on top of the sauce, cover completely(about 1/2 the mixture)
- Stuff each shell with about a spoonful of cheese mixture, I use a little more
- Place the shells on top of the sausage mixture
- Cover the shells with sauce, do not smother completely
- Add the remaining sausage mixture over the sauce cover thoroughly
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and top with some parmesan and the Italian seasoning
- Bake for 25 minutes
Notes
Use our homemade sauce for best results
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 1368
- Sugar: 10.2g
- Sodium: 2553mg
- Fat: 58.6g
- Saturated Fat: 25.6g
- Carbohydrates: 124.6g
- Fiber: 5.6g
- Protein: 76.5g
- Cholesterol: 184mg
Keywords: Sausage and Cheese Stuffed Shells Recipe