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Irresistible Sausage & Spinach Stuffed Shells Recipe

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Tender pasta shells filled with a savory sausage-spinach mixture, smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce. Perfect for any occasion and surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 20–25 jumbo pasta shells, cooked just shy of al dente
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or spicy, casing removed
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped (or frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, freshly minced
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells until just shy of al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Add the garlic and spinach, cooking until the spinach is wilted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, egg, and cooled sausage-spinach mixture. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  5. Spoon the filling into each shell, packing it gently but not overstuffing. Place the stuffed shells in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
  6. In a saucepan, heat the marinara sauce and heavy cream together until warmed through. Pour the sauce evenly over the shells.
  7. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top.
  8. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

[‘Don’t overcook the pasta shells to avoid mushiness.’, ‘Fresh spinach is preferred over frozen for better flavor and texture.’, ‘Warm the sauce before pouring for even cooking.’, ‘Cover with foil during baking to prevent the cheese from browning too quickly.’, ‘Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking for easier serving and intensified flavor.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed shells, sausage stuffed shells, spinach stuffed shells, creamy pasta, Italian comfort food

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/irresistible-sausage-and-spinach-stuffed-shells-recipe/