Cheesy Italian Sausage Stuffed Shells Recipe: A Family Favorite

Bubbling with rich, hearty flavors, these delectable Italian sausage stuffed shells promise a mouthwatering journey through Italian comfort cuisine.

Melted cheese cascades over perfectly cooked pasta, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

Tender sausage nestles inside each shell, delivering a savory punch that will delight dinner companions.

The recipe combines simple ingredients with elegant technique, ensuring a restaurant-quality meal at home.

Bold marinara sauce complements the robust sausage, adding depth and complexity to every bite.

Cheese lovers and pasta enthusiasts will find this dish irresistibly satisfying.

Gather your ingredients and get ready to savor an Italian classic that transforms an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15-20 minutes

Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

Total Time: 40-50 minutes

Calories: 590 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredient Essentials for Stuffed Shells

• Jumbo Shells: Perfectly sized pasta vessels that cradle the delicious stuffing, ensuring a satisfying bite with each shell.

• Chicken Italian Sausage, Onion: Robust sausage packed with Mediterranean herbs delivers rich flavor, while sweet onions add depth and subtle sweetness.
• Italian Seasoning, Red Chili Flakes: Aromatic blend of dried herbs infuses authentic Italian warmth, and spicy chili flakes spark a gentle heat.

• Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Silky ricotta creates luxurious texture, while melty mozzarella provides golden, stretchy coverage.
• Marinara Sauce: Vibrant tomato sauce that bathes the shells in classic Italian comfort.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, fruity base that helps sauté ingredients and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Parsley: Fresh herb garnish that adds bright, crisp finish and visual appeal.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to elevate and balance the dish's complex flavors.

Tools Needed for Sausage Stuffed Shells

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling jumbo shells to perfect al dente texture.
• Colander: Needed to drain and rinse cooked pasta shells.
• Skillet/Frying Pan: Perfect for browning sausage and sautéing onions.
• 9×13 Inch Baking Pan: Crucial for assembling and baking stuffed shells.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring sausage mixture and sauce.
• Chef's Knife: Required for chopping onions and parsley.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurately measuring sauce and ingredients.
• Cheese Grater: Useful for shredding mozzarella cheese if not pre-shredded.

Stuffed Shell Instructions Step-by-Step

Cozy Italian Sausage Shells

• Oven Warmup

Crank up the oven to a toasty 400°F. Getting the kitchen heated and ready for deliciousness.

• Shell Preparation

Boil water and gently cook pasta shells until they’re soft but still holding their shape. These delicate vessels will soon cradle a delectable filling.

• Sausage Symphony

Brown Italian sausage in a sizzling pan, releasing those rich meaty aromas. Toss in diced onions and fragrant seasonings, creating a flavor-packed base that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Sauce Magic

Pour marinara into the meat mixture, letting everything simmer and mingle. The kitchen will start smelling like an Italian grandmother’s secret recipe.

• Shell Stuffing

Spread a layer of sauce in a baking dish. Lovingly stuff each shell with the savory sausage mixture, arranging them like little edible treasures. Shower the shells with creamy ricotta and melty mozzarella.

• Baking Transformation

Slide the pan into the hot oven. Watch as the cheese bubbles and turns golden, creating a crispy, irresistible topping that signals pure comfort food is moments away.

• Final Touch

Sprinkle fresh parsley on top, adding a burst of color and a hint of freshness to this hearty crowd-pleaser.

Flavor Ideas & Add-On Options

• Flavor Booster: Experiment with different types of Italian sausage like spicy, sweet, or a mix for a personalized taste adventure that'll make your dish stand out.
• Cheese Swap: Try alternative cheeses such as provolone, fontina, or a blend of pecorino and parmesan to create unique flavor profiles that'll surprise your taste buds.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish up to the baking stage, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. This genius meal prep trick works perfectly for busy weeknights or entertaining guests.
• Veggie Twist: Boost nutrition by adding chopped spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers to the sausage filling. These colorful additions provide extra texture and sneaky vegetable goodness that everyone will love.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust the heat by playing with red chili flake quantities or adding a dash of cayenne pepper. For those who love a kick, incorporate some hot Italian sausage into the mix for an extra flavor punch.

How to Serve Stuffed Shells Right

• Flavor Fusion Feast: Pair this hearty Italian sausage stuffed shells with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, cheesy flavors.
• Bread Buddy Brilliance: Serve warm garlic bread or crusty Italian bread on the side to soak up the delicious marinara sauce and complete the Mediterranean dining experience.
• Wine Wonderland: Complement the robust sausage and tomato sauce with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which will enhance the dish's deep, savory notes.
• Fresh Finish Flair: Sprinkle extra fresh basil or parsley over the top just before serving to add a bright, aromatic touch that lifts the entire meal's flavor profile.

Best Practices for Storing Pasta Shells

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep leftover stuffed shells in an airtight container within the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The sealed environment maintains the dish's delicious texture and prevents moisture loss.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Wrap individual or entire portions tightly in aluminum foil, then place inside freezer-safe containers. These shells can stay frozen up to 2 months without compromising taste or quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Pro Tips: Warm refrigerated shells in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. For frozen portions, extend heating time by 5-10 minutes. Adding a splash of marinara sauce during reheating helps maintain moisture and restore original flavors.
• Portion Control Hack: Divide the recipe into smaller baking dishes before cooking. This allows you to freeze some portions immediately and enjoy fresh meals throughout the week without compromising ingredient quality or taste integrity.

Cheesy Italian Sausage Stuffed Shells Recipe

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4.5 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 40-50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent Italian sausage stuffed shells bring hearty comfort to dinner tables with robust flavors from Italy. Cheese-laden pasta pockets deliver satisfying warmth that welcomes you to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) chicken Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1 cup (240 ml) ricotta cheese
• 1 ½ cups (340 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 8 oz (226 g) dry jumbo shells (approx. 26–28 shells)
• 1 (32 oz/907 g) jar marinara sauce
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
• 1 cup (150 g) yellow onion, diced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp red chili flakes
• kosher salt to taste
• fresh black pepper to taste
• fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Thermal Preparation: Heat oven to 400°F (204°C), establishing the perfect baking environment for the Italian sausage stuffed shells.
2. Shell Preparation: In a large pot of salted water, cook jumbo shells until slightly firm. Drain and rinse with cool water to prevent further cooking, creating a perfect pasta vessel for the filling.
3. Sausage Infusion: In a skillet, brown crumbled Italian sausage over medium heat, developing deep, rich flavors. Incorporate diced onions, Italian seasoning, and red chili flakes, sautéing until onions become translucent and aromatic.
4. Sauce Integration: Blend marinara sauce into the sausage mixture, seasoning with salt and pepper. Simmer for 10-12 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify, creating a robust filling.
5. Assembly Strategy: Spread a thin marinara layer in the baking dish. Meticulously stuff shells with the sausage mixture, arranging them closely. Lavish the remaining marinara sauce over the shells, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Cheese Layering: Strategically place ricotta between the shells and generously scatter shredded mozzarella across the top, creating a decadent cheese canopy that will transform during baking.
7. Baking Finale: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling crust with crisp edges. Allow the dish to rest briefly after removing from the oven.
8. Finishing Touch: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, adding a vibrant burst of color and herbaceous freshness just before serving the elegantly prepared stuffed shells.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Cook shells just shy of al dente to prevent overcooking during baking, ensuring a tender texture.
• Sausage Sizzle: Break down Italian sausage into tiny, uniform pieces for even flavor distribution and easy eating.
• Sauce Strategy: Create a thin marinara base layer to prevent shells from sticking and burning during baking.
• Cheese Crown: Let the dish rest briefly after baking to allow cheese to set and flavors to meld, resulting in a more cohesive and delicious final presentation.

• Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 1050 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg