Sausage-Stuffed Shells

Deliciously comforting Sausage-Stuffed Shells are filled with a ricotta and Parmesan mixture and topped with Italian sausage pasta sauce and mozzarella cheese. The whole family is going to love this dinner!

If you love sausage pasta, try my favorite Pasta with Sausage, Artichokes, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes!

Last month my dear husband started talking about stuffed shells. He wanted them to be nothing but pasta shells stuffed with ricotta (just ricotta) and with sauce poured over the top. Informal Twitter poll told me not to do it but I figured I could at least make him a version I could be proud of

My Sausage-Stuffed Shells have ricotta and sausage and Parmesan and lots of basil! And more cheese on top because duh, pasta needs cheese on top! They were delicious and even the husband had to admit that my shells were better than the ones he had wanted so badly.

I tend to use spicy Italian sausage in my pasta dishes so the sweet sausage was a fun change. If you prefer the spicy stuff, go ahead and use it! Or add some crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat. I made my olive cheese bread with it but the cheesy breadsticks I just posted would be awesome too!

Ingredients

• Jumbo pasta shells – make sure are they big ones!
• Olive oil – you can also use avocado oil or vegetable oil if you prefer
• Onion
• Mild Italian sausage – if you prefer spicy pasta, you can use hot Italian sausage instead. Make sure to remove the casings.
• Garlic
• Egg – this is for the filling of the stuffed shells
• Ricotta cheese – for the filling. It makes a super creamy
• Parmesan – Parmesan adds the most delicious salty flavor to the filling.
• Basil – you can use fresh or dried basil.
• Unseasoned breadcrumbs – these are going in the filling. They add just a tiny bit of crunch.
• Salt and pepper
• Pasta sauce – use your favorite jarred sauce or homemade recipe.
• Mozzarella – this is getting sprinkled on top of the shells so it melts during the baking.

How To Make Sausage Stuffed Shells

• Cook pasta. Cook the pasta shells according to the instructions on the package. Drain, rinse in cold water, and set aside.
• Cook sausage and veggies. Cook onions in olive oil until softened. Add sausage and cook thoroughly. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds. Remove pan from heat.
• Make filling. Beat the egg lightly in a large bowl. Mix in the ricotta, Parmesan cheese, basil, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and sausage mixture.
• Fill. Fill each cooked pasta shell with some of the ricotta mixture.
• Transfer to pan. Spread ½ cup of pasta sauce over the bottom of 2 9×13-inch baking dishes. Arrange the stuffed pasta shells in the dishes. Spread the remaining sauce over the top of the pasta shells and top with mozzarella.
• Bake. Cover the pans with foil and bake for 30 minutes, until hot and bubbling. Remove foil and bake until the cheese is starting to brown, about 10 minutes.

How Long Is It Good For?

These stuffed shells will be good for up to 3 days. Make sure to store them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

I recommend reheating in the microwave.

Can You Freeze Them?

You can freeze stuffed shells for up to 3 months. I like to do individual servings (I freeze them in silicone molds and then transfer to freezer ziploc bags once they are frozen solid) to make reheating easier.

Let them defrost overnight in the refrigerator when you are ready to serve.

More Pasta Recipes

• Parmesan Pasta with Bacon and Peas
• One-Pan Pizza Pasta
• Pasta with Zucchini Sauce
• Chicken Parmesan Baked Pasta

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