SPICY SAUSAGE-SPINACH STUFFED SHELLS
Cooked pasta shells, stuffed with a filling of ricotta cheese, sausage, spinach, and cheeses. Covered with a pasta sauce, more cheese, then baked.
Servings 9 shells
Calories 350kcal
Ingredients
- 9 large pasta shells
- 1/2 lb Hot & Spicy ground sausage browned & grease drained
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup fresh baby spinach chopped
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1 24oz jar pasta sauce
Instructions
- Boil pasta shells in salted water as directed on the box (about 10-12 min). Drain and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- In a medium size mixing bowl, stir together the sausage, ricotta cheese, egg, spinach, parmesan, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Combine well.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a baking dish with no stick cooking spray.
- Divide the filling evenly between the shells. Arrange the shells in the baking dish. Spoon the pasta sauce over the shells. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake about 20 minutes, then remove foil and bake about 15 more minutes, or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted.
- Serve warm with garlic bread and a salad.
- **Recipe may be prepared a day ahead of time and refrigerated. Bake as directed.
Notes
NUTRITIONAL DISCLAIMER. Calorie count provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Helpful Tips
Use whole milk ricotta cheese and fresh mozzarella for the best flavor.
It is best to undercook the shells by 1 or 2 minutes since they will be baked in the oven.
Make sure to drain the pasta shells after boiling them and before filling them. They could make your dish watery if not drained. Spray a piece of aluminum foil with no stick cooking spray. This will keep the foil from sticking to the cheese. Cover and bake for about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake another 15 minutes, until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly.
It is best to undercook the shells by 1 or 2 minutes since they will be baked in the oven.
Make sure to drain the pasta shells after boiling them and before filling them. They could make your dish watery if not drained. Spray a piece of aluminum foil with no stick cooking spray. This will keep the foil from sticking to the cheese. Cover and bake for about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake another 15 minutes, until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly.