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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Thermal Preparation: Heat oven to 400°F (204°C), establishing the perfect baking environment for the Italian sausage stuffed shells.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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