Cheese Stuffed Shells

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Servings: 6 Difficulty: Intermediate
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Rich, cheesy pasta shells baked in savory tomato sauce with sausage and spinach
Cheese Stuffed Shells recipe image

These cheesy stuffed shells are the ultimate comfort food, featuring jumbo pasta shells filled with a luxurious blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and cheddar. The filling is elevated with savory Italian sausage and wilted spinach, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Baked until bubbly in a rich marinara sauce, this dish is hearty enough for a family dinner yet elegant enough for potlucks. It’s a satisfying, homemade meal that feels indulgent but comes together with straightforward steps. Serve with crusty bread to soak up every drop of the flavorful sauce.

Cheese Stuffed Shells recipe image
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Cheese Stuffed Shells

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 6 Calories: 404.6

Description

These cheesy stuffed shells are the ultimate comfort food, featuring jumbo pasta shells filled with a luxurious blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and cheddar. The filling is elevated with savory Italian sausage and wilted spinach, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Baked until bubbly in a rich marinara sauce, this dish is hearty enough for a family dinner yet elegant enough for potlucks. It&# 226;ÂÂs a satisfying, homemade meal that feels indulgent but comes together with straightforward steps. Serve with crusty bread to soak up every drop of the flavorful sauce.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375ðF (190ðC). Cook jumbo shell noodles according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, brown the crumbled Italian sausage and chopped onion over medium heat until sausage is cooked through and onions are translucent. Drain excess grease if desired.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked sausage mixture, thawed and well-drained spinach, softened cream cheese, and beaten egg.
  4. Add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, shredded cheddar, cottage cheese, grated parmesan, salt, pepper, and cinnamon to the bowl. Mix until well combined.
  5. Carefully stuff each cooked shell with the cheese and sausage mixture. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer in a 13x9 inch baking dish.
  6. In a separate bowl, mix the marinara sauce with white wine, dried basil, and minced garlic. Spoon half of the sauce over the stuffed shells.
  7. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes.
  8. Remove the foil, spoon the remaining sauce over the shells, and top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella.
  9. Return to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 5-8 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  10. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow the shells to set.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories 404.6kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 22.6g35%
Saturated Fat 7.2g36%
Cholesterol 53.3mg18%
Sodium 994.1mg42%
Total Carbohydrate 14.6g5%
Dietary Fiber 5.9g24%
Sugars 2.7g
Protein 35.9g72%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: stuffed shells, cheese pasta, italian sausage, spinach filling, marinara sauce, baked pasta, comfort food, family dinner, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, potluck recipe, easy dinner, pasta bake, italian american, cheesy, sausage and peppers, oven baked, weeknight meal, make ahead
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