Hearty Sausage-Stuffed Pasta Shells
Indulge in these delicious Hearty Sausage-Stuffed Pasta Shells, perfect for a comforting family dinner. Jumbo pasta shells are generously filled with a flavorful mixture of mild Italian sausage, seasoned breadcrumbs, and a hint of parmesan cheese. Baked in a savory spaghetti sauce, this dish not only bursts with flavor but also offers a delightful presentation. Serve these shells with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal that everyone will love. Gather your friends and family around the table and enjoy this delicious, hearty pasta dish that's sure to please!
4
Servings
288
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
jumbo pasta shells
20 (cooked according to package directions)
mild Italian sausage
1 lb (casings removed)
salt
to taste (none)
black pepper
to taste (none)
large egg
1 (beaten)
Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
3/4 cup (none)
spaghetti sauce
30 ounces (1 jar) (none)
grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package directions until al dente; drain and set aside to cool.
3
In a large skillet over medium heat, remove the casings from the mild Italian sausage. Add the sausage to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crumbled. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
4
In the same skillet, combine the cooked sausage with salt, pepper, the beaten egg, and Italian seasoned breadcrumbs. Mix well until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
5
Spread 1 cup of the spaghetti sauce evenly in the bottom of a lightly greased 13x9 inch baking dish.
6
Carefully spoon the sausage mixture into each of the cooked pasta shells, placing the stuffed shells in the baking dish, seam sides up.
7
Pour the remaining spaghetti sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are well-covered.
8
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
9
After 15 minutes, remove the foil, sprinkle the shells with grated parmesan cheese, and continue baking uncovered for an additional 5 minutes, or until heated through and cheese is melted and bubbly.
10
Serve hot, garnished with additional parmesan if desired.
Nutrition Information
14g
Fat
30g
Carbs
10g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Hearty Sausage-Stuffed Pasta Shells?
They are jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a mixture of mild Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, and egg, then baked in spaghetti sauce and topped with parmesan cheese.
How many jumbo pasta shells do I need for this recipe?
The recipe requires 20 jumbo pasta shells.
What kind of sausage should be used?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of mild Italian sausage with the casings removed.
What is the preheat temperature for the oven?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
How should the pasta shells be prepared?
Cook the shells according to package directions until they are al dente, then drain and set them aside to cool.
How is the sausage filling cooked?
Remove the casings and cook the sausage in a skillet over medium heat until it is browned and crumbled, then drain the excess fat.
What ingredients are mixed with the sausage for the stuffing?
Mix the cooked sausage with salt, pepper, one beaten large egg, and 3/4 cup of Italian seasoned breadcrumbs.
How much spaghetti sauce is needed in total?
You will need one 30-ounce jar of spaghetti sauce.
How do I layer the sauce in the baking dish?
Spread 1 cup of sauce in the bottom of the dish before adding the shells, then pour the remaining sauce over the stuffed shells.
What size baking dish should I use?
A lightly greased 13x9 inch baking dish is recommended.
How should the stuffed shells be placed in the dish?
Place the shells into the baking dish with the seam sides facing up.
Should I cover the pasta shells while they bake?
Yes, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil for the first 15 minutes of baking.
When do I add the parmesan cheese?
Remove the foil after 15 minutes of baking, sprinkle the shells with grated parmesan cheese, and bake for 5 more minutes.
How long do the shells bake in total?
The shells bake for a total of 20 minutes: 15 minutes covered and 5 minutes uncovered.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 4 servings.
What are the calories per serving?
There are 288 calories per serving.
How much fat is in one serving?
Each serving contains 14g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate content?
There are 30g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in this recipe?
Each serving provides 10g of protein.
What should I serve with these stuffed shells?
It is suggested to serve them with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.
Is an egg necessary for the filling?
Yes, one beaten large egg helps bind the sausage and breadcrumb mixture together.
Can I use hot Italian sausage instead of mild?
Yes, you can substitute mild Italian sausage with hot Italian sausage if you prefer a spicier dish.
How do I know the shells are finished baking?
The shells are done when they are heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
What kind of breadcrumbs are used?
The recipe specifies using 3/4 cup of Italian seasoned breadcrumbs.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, the recipe recommends using a lightly greased baking dish to prevent sticking.
How much parmesan cheese is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
Is there any salt and pepper in the recipe?
Yes, salt and black pepper are added to the sausage mixture to taste.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include pasta, stuffed shells, sausage, Italian, comfort food, and family dinner.
Can I garnish the shells?
Yes, you can garnish the finished dish with additional parmesan cheese if desired.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 total ingredients: pasta shells, sausage, salt, pepper, egg, breadcrumbs, sauce, and parmesan.