Embark on a culinary journey with Kate's Saucy Stuffed Shells, a delectable dish that promises to tantalize your taste buds. This versatile recipe offers two variations to cater to diverse preferences, ensuring a satisfying experience for every palate.
The first variation, Three-Cheese Sausage Meat Stuffed Shells, is a symphony of flavors, combining the richness of ground sausage with a trio of melted cheeses—mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta—nestled within tender jumbo pasta shells. Bathed in a velvety tomato sauce, these stuffed shells are a hearty and flavorful delight.
For those seeking a vegetarian option, the Spinach and Three-Cheese Stuffed Shells offer a vibrant and equally delicious alternative. Fresh spinach, delicately sautéed, joins forces with the same trio of melted cheeses, creating a filling that is both nutritious and indulgent. Enveloped in a luscious tomato sauce, these stuffed shells are a testament to the power of simple, wholesome ingredients.
Whether you prefer the savory indulgence of sausage or the vibrant freshness of spinach, Kate's Saucy Stuffed Shells guarantee a culinary experience that will leave you craving more.
SAUSAGE STUFFED SHELLS
Seasoned Italian sweet sausage and beef mix together and fill these Sausage Stuffed Shells. Top with sauce and cheese for an unforgettable Italian casserole!
Provided by Julie Clark
Categories Main Dish
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Boil 8 cups of water in a large pan over medium -high heat.
- Gently pour the stuffed shells into the boiling water and boil for 9 minutes, then drain and set aside. (You'll need about 22-24 shells, but I boil the whole 12 ounces so I have extra in case some shells break.)
- In a large bowl, combine the beef, pork, egg, cheese, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley and basil. Mix well.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread about 3/4 cup sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan.
- Using an ice cream scoop (or your hands), scoop the meat mixture and gently stuff it into the shells. Place the shells meat side up into the prepared pan, side by side to fill the pan.
- Once the shells are all stuffed, pour the rest of the sauce overtop the shells and spread it around to cover all the shells.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over top.
- Cut a piece of aluminum foil a little larger than your pan. Spray one side with cooking spray. Cover the baking pan (sprayed side down) and press to seal.
- Bake covered for 40 minutes, then uncover and broil on low for 3-5 minutes to brown the cheese (watch this closely!).
- After baking, sprinkle the top with fresh parsley and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 574 kcal, Carbohydrate 40 g, Protein 35 g, Fat 29 g, SaturatedFat 12 g, Cholesterol 126 mg, Sodium 1193 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 5 g, ServingSize 1 serving
SAUSAGE-STUFFED SHELLS
"I wanted to make manicotti one day but was out of the noodles," says Lori Daniels of Beverly, West Virginia. "So I came up with this recipe, using jumbo shells instead. They were much easier to work with."
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 45m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a small saucepan, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Set half of the sausage aside for filling. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, brown sugar and Italian seasoning to sausage in pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally., In a small bowl, combine the cottage cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, egg, parsley and reserved sausage. Stuff into shells. Spread 1/4 cup meat sauce in an ungreased 1-qt. shallow baking dish. Place stuffed shells in dish; drizzle with remaining meat sauce. , Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese if desired. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until filling reaches 160°.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 437 calories, Fat 14g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 67mg cholesterol, Sodium 1371mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 36g protein.
SAUSAGE STUFFED SHELLS
This a a terrific variation of a stuffed shells recipe. The silky cream cheese is the perfect off-set for the slightly spicy sausage. A real winner!
Provided by Valerie Reeves
Categories Pasta
Time 1h5m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain and cool on paper towel.
- 2. Brown sausage in large skillet on medium heat. Drain fat and return skillet to stove. Ground beef may also be used. I prefer hot or Italian sausage.
- 3. Add diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and cream cheese to skillet, continue cooking on medium heat until cream cheese is completely melted. (About 15-20 minutes).
- 4. Pour contents of skillet into large mixing bowl. Add beaten egg, 2 cups mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese and mix thoroughly. Mixture may seem a little watery, but don't worry, it will thicken during baking.
- 5. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with non-stick cooking spray. Spoon 3-4 tablespoons of spaghetti sauce into bottom of pan and spread around.
- 6. Spoon meat mixture into each shell and place in pan. This recipe should make 16-18 shells. Pour remaining spaghetti sauce over the shells.
- 7. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, spread remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese on top of shells, and return to oven for last 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- 8. **Note - Optional ingredients that may be added to skillet include spinach, onions, mushrooms, depending on preference.
CHEESE & SAUSAGE STUFFED SHELLS
I like to make this meal for special occasions, and everyone who has tried these stuffed shells has left satisfied. I suggest making a double batch and freezing one for future dinners. -Tiffany Carlson, Colfax, North Dakota
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h40m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta shells according to package directions for al dente; drain and rinse with cold water. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage and onion over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink, breaking up sausage into crumbles; drain and return to pan. Add cream cheese; cook and stir until melted., Transfer to a large bowl; cool slightly. Stir in spinach and egg. Add 1 cup mozzarella, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper; mix well. In a small bowl, combine sauce ingredients. Spread 1-1/3 cups sauce onto bottom of a greased 13x9-in. baking dish and 2/3 cup sauce over the bottom of a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Fill pasta shells with sausage mixture; arrange over sauce. Top with remaining sauce., Bake, covered, 45 minutes or until pasta is tender. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts :
KATE'S SAUCY STUFFED SHELLS 2 WAYS (3 CHEESE & SAUSAGE MEAT)
Why choose between Ricotta, Mozzarella, and Parmesan Filled shells and Italian Sausage and Ground Beef Filled shells when you can have one of each? This recipe pleases both Cheese-Lovers and Meat-Eaters.
Provided by Garden Gate Kate
Categories Pasta Shells
Time 4h
Yield 13 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 38
Steps:
- MARINARA SAUCE: In a large pot, sauté onions until caramelized in olive oil. Remove 1/3 of sautéed onions from the pot and transfer to a separate bowl and set aside for later use in Meat Filling. (These onions are reserved for use in the Meat Filling in Step 3.) To the pot, add garlic and sauté for two minutes more. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, water, sugar, basil, bay leaves, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil. Simmer sauce for 2 to 3 hours, the longer cooking time the better, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaves. Stir in parsley and turn off heat. This Marinara Sauce recipe can be substituted for 8-9 cups of jarred marinara sauce.
- RICOTTA FILLING: To a large bowl, combine 2 cups ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, ¼ cup parmesan, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, and salt. Taste test and adjust seasonings. Mix in 3 eggs. Refrigerate until ready to stuff shells.
- MEAT FILLING: To the bowl with reserved ½ sautéed onion (these are the onions reserved from Step 1), add ground beef, sausage, 1 egg, ¼ cup parmesan cheese, ¼ cup dry breadcrumbs, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/3 cup milk, and 2 teaspoons fresh parsley and mix. Make 13- 2 inch meatballs. Refrigerate until ready to stuff shells.
- PASTA: Cook shells according to package directions until al dente. Make sure to thoroughly salt the water before adding pasta to prevent sticking. After draining pasta, drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Transfer to a large piece of parchment paper. Spread pasta in one layer not touching each other to prevent sticking.
- ASSEMBLY: Cover bottom of large baking dish with ¼ inch of Marinara Sauce. Cup a shell in one hand and spoon Ricotta Filling into the shell with the other. Make 13 Ricotta Filled shells. Leave room in between Ricotta Filled shells for Meat Filled shells. Cup a shell in one hand and place meatball into the shell with the other. Place the shells into the baking dish alternating Ricotta Filled with Meat Filled, arranging in a single layer. Ladle the remaining Marinara Sauce on top of Meat Filled shells but not on top of the Ricotta Filled shells.
- TOPPING: Sprinkle shells with 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Cover pan with aluminum foil. Bake at 400F degrees for 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until bubbling, and Meat Filled shells are fully cooked.
- TO SERVE: Give each person an equal number of Ricotta Filled shells and Meat Filled shells. Spoon Marinara Sauce over both.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 448.6, Fat 21.6, SaturatedFat 10.6, Cholesterol 122.2, Sodium 1623, Carbohydrate 38.1, Fiber 4.3, Sugar 10.4, Protein 26.7
STUFFED SHELLS (MEAT STUFFED)
A savory stuffed meat shell. Also freezes well, freeze apart from the sauce. They can be frozen(unbaked)quickly on a cookie sheet and then stored in a plastic bag. This method will prevent sticking together and will take up less storage space. Good for a quick meal or unexpected company.
Provided by DoryJean54
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 55m
Yield 12 shells, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook shells until barely tender.
- Drain and set aside.
- Mix up meat mixture.
- Preheat oven to 350*.
- Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with Pam.
- Spread 1 cup of speghetti sauce in dish.
- Fill cooked shells with meat mixture.
- Arrange filled shells in baking dish.
- Top with sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil, bake at 350* for 45 minutes.
- Uncover and continue baking about 5 minutes.
- Serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 391.3, Fat 24.4, SaturatedFat 9.7, Cholesterol 131.5, Sodium 492.1, Carbohydrate 15.2, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 6.2, Protein 26
Tips:
- Use a large pot to cook the pasta shells, as they will expand during cooking.
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta shells, as they will become mushy.
- If you are using a jarred sauce, be sure to doctor it up with some fresh herbs, spices, and vegetables.
- If you are making your own sauce, be sure to simmer it for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
- Stuff the pasta shells generously with the filling, but be careful not to overstuff them, as they will burst during cooking.
- Bake the stuffed pasta shells in a preheated oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the shells are heated through.
- Serve the stuffed pasta shells immediately, topped with additional cheese, sauce, and herbs.
Conclusion:
Kate's Saucy Stuffed Shells are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The shells are filled with a flavorful mixture of sausage, cheese, and vegetables, and then baked in a rich and creamy tomato sauce. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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