Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Sausage-Stuffed Shells

Course: Main Dishes
1st Gen Author: Janene Jensen

Ingredients

  • 12 jumbo pasta shells

Sauce

  • lb Italian sausage
  • 2 8oz cans tomato sauce
  • ½ cup tomato paste
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Filling:

  • cup cottage cheese
  • cup mozzarella cheese divided
  • 1 egg slightly beaten
  • 1 tsp fresh parsley
  • grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Cook pasta shells according to package directions.  Meanwhile in a large 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 & Italian seasoning to the remaining sausage.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 15 min. stirring occasionally.
  • Drain pasta.  In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, 1 c mozzarella, egg, parsley and reserved sausage.  Stuff into shells.
  • Spread ½ c meat sauce into an ungreased shallow 2 qt. baking dish.  Arrange stuffed shells in a dish; drizzle with remaining meat sauce.  Sprinkle it with remaining mozzarella & parmesan.
  • Baked, uncovered at 350º for 25-30 min.

Notes

Four cheese stuffed shells: cook shells as directed; omit sauce and filling.  Thaw and squeeze dry 1 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach.  Combine ½ c each of shredded mozzarella, shredded asiago, ricotta and cottage cheese; stir in spinach and 2 Tbsp minced chives. Stuff into shells.  Spread ¾ c meatless spaghetti sauce into a baking dish.  Arrange shells in dish; top with 1 c spaghetti sauce and ½ c shredded mozzarella. Bake as directed.
Taco Pasta shells: Cook shells as directed; omit sauce and filling.  Cook 1 lb od ground beef until no longer pink; drain.  Stir in ⅓ c taco sauce, 2 oz cream cheese, 3 Tbsp shredded Mexican cheese blend and 1¼ tsp chili powder.  Stuff into shells.  Spreak ¾ c taco sauce into baking dish.  Arrange shells in dish; top with ½ c taco sauce and ½ c Mexican cheese.  Bake as directed.  Sprinkle with crushed taco chips if desired.