Ultimate Vegetarian Stuffed Shells
Indulge in the delightful layers of flavor with these Ultimate Vegetarian Stuffed Shells. This dish showcases tender jumbo pasta shells generously filled with a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and fresh herbs, all enveloped in a rich homemade tomato sauce. By taking the time to prepare your own sauce, you elevate this comforting classic to new heights that will leave friends and family lining up for seconds. Perfect for gatherings, holidays, or a cozy family dinner, these stuffed shells are not only delicious but also fit for any palate. Feel free to experiment with additional vegetables or spices to make it your own!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
onions
2 (chopped)
green pepper
1 (chopped)
garlic
3 cloves (minced)
oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
mushrooms
1/2 lb (chopped)
tomato puree
2 (29 oz) cans
tomato paste
1 (6 oz) can
water
1 cup
basil
1 1/2 teaspoons
oregano
2 teaspoons
hot Italian sausage
1 lb (cooked and crumbled)
jumbo pasta shells
1 box
mozzarella cheese
12 ounces (diced)
ricotta cheese
2 (15 oz) containers
eggs
4
parmesan cheese
6 tablespoons
parsley
2 tablespoons
chives
2 tablespoons
onion salt or salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
Romano cheese
to taste (grated for topping)
Instructions
1
For the sauce: In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, green pepper, and minced garlic, sautéing until softened, about 5 minutes.
2
Stir in the chopped mushrooms, cooking for an additional 5 minutes until they are softened and browned.
3
Pour in the tomato puree, tomato paste, and water. Sprinkle in the basil, oregano, onion salt, and pepper, stirring well to combine.
4
In a separate pan, cook and crumble the hot Italian sausage until browned. Drain off any excess fat, then add the cooked sausage into the tomato sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally. If the sauce thickens too much, add more water as needed.
5
While the sauce is simmering, cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package directions. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
6
For the filling: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, diced mozzarella, eggs, 6 tablespoons of parmesan, parsley, and chives. Mix until well combined. If the mixture seems too thin, add more parmesan to thicken it.
7
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
8
To assemble: Spoon a thin layer of sauce into the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Carefully fill each cooked shell with the cheese mixture and place them filled-side up in the baking dish.
9
Pour any remaining sauce evenly over the stuffed shells and sprinkle generously with the grated Romano cheese.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is called Ultimate Vegetarian Stuffed Shells.
Does this recipe actually contain meat?
Despite being titled vegetarian, the instructions and ingredients list 1 lb of hot Italian sausage. To keep it vegetarian, use a meat alternative or omit the sausage.
How long should the sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer on low heat for approximately 3 hours to develop full flavor.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius).
How long do the stuffed shells need to bake?
Bake the shells for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
What size baking dish should be used?
A greased 9x13-inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
What kind of pasta is required?
The recipe calls for one box of jumbo pasta shells.
What ingredients are in the cheese filling?
The filling consists of ricotta cheese, diced mozzarella, eggs, parmesan cheese, parsley, and chives.
How many eggs are needed for the filling?
The recipe requires 4 eggs to bind the cheese filling.
What should I do if the cheese filling is too thin?
If the filling is too thin, you can add more parmesan cheese to help thicken the mixture.
What kind of mushrooms are used and how much?
The recipe uses 1/2 lb of chopped mushrooms.
How many cans of tomato puree are used in the sauce?
Two 29 oz cans of tomato puree are used for the homemade sauce.
What type of cheese is used for the final topping?
Grated Romano cheese is used to sprinkle over the shells before baking.
How many cloves of garlic are in the sauce?
The recipe uses 3 cloves of minced garlic.
What vegetables are sautéed first?
The process starts by sautéing 2 chopped onions and 1 chopped green pepper.
What herbs are added to the tomato sauce?
Dried basil and oregano are added to the sauce mixture.
What should I do if the sauce becomes too thick while simmering?
If the sauce thickens too much during the 3-hour simmer, simply add more water as needed.
Is the mozzarella cheese shredded or diced?
The recipe specifies using 12 ounces of diced mozzarella cheese for the filling.
How much ricotta cheese is needed?
You will need two 15 oz containers of ricotta cheese.
What amount of tomato paste is required?
The recipe uses one 6 oz can of tomato paste.
Which herbs are used specifically in the cheese filling?
The filling includes 2 tablespoons each of fresh parsley and chives.
How do I prepare the jumbo shells?
Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package directions, then drain and set them aside for stuffing.
How much oil is needed for sautéing?
Use 2 tablespoons of oil to sauté the initial vegetables.
What kind of sausage is mentioned in the instructions?
The recipe mentions using 1 lb of hot Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled.
How much parmesan cheese is used in the initial filling mix?
The initial mix uses 6 tablespoons of parmesan cheese.
What are the primary seasonings for the sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with basil, oregano, onion salt, and pepper.
How do you assemble the dish in the baking pan?
Spoon a thin layer of sauce on the bottom, add filled shells side up, and pour remaining sauce over the top.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 21 ingredients in total for this stuffed shells recipe.
What occasions are these stuffed shells good for?
They are perfect for gatherings, holidays, or cozy family dinners.
Can I customize the vegetables in the filling?
Yes, the recipe encourages experimenting with additional vegetables or spices to make it your own.