Get ready to fall in love with the ultimate comfort food: Sausage Stuffed Shells. This recipe combines tender jumbo pasta shells, a rich and savory Italian sausage and ricotta filling, and a generous layer of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, all baked in a flavorful marinara sauce. It’s the perfect dish for a cozy family dinner, a special occasion, or a comforting meal that’s guaranteed to please a crowd. We’re not just making dinner; we’re creating a memorable experience, one cheesy shell at a time.
This dish is a classic for a reason. The flavors are perfectly balanced, and the textures are simply divine. If you’re looking for a go-to recipe that feels both impressive and incredibly easy to make, you’ve found it. Let’s dive into how to create the best sausage and cheese stuffed shells you’ve ever had.
Why You’ll Love This Sausage Stuffed Shells Recipe
There are so many reasons this baked stuffed shells recipe will become a staple in your kitchen. It’s a true triple-threat: delicious, easy to prepare, and incredibly versatile.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The combination of savory sausage, creamy ricotta, and rich marinara is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: This is an ideal make-ahead meal. You can assemble the entire dish ahead of time and simply bake it when you’re ready to eat.
- Freezer-Friendly: Double the recipe and freeze one for later! It’s like giving your future self the gift of a delicious, home-cooked meal with zero effort.
- Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You won’t need to hunt for any special ingredients. Everything required for these sausage stuffed shells is readily available at your local grocery store.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Stuffed Shells
The magic of this dish lies in its simple yet flavorful components. Here’s what you’ll need to bring these incredible sausage stuffed shells to life.
- Jumbo Pasta Shells: These are the star of the show, creating the perfect vessel for our delicious filling.
- Italian Sausage: Use mild or hot, depending on your preference. The sausage adds a fantastic depth of flavor and savory richness.
- The Cheese Trio: A blend of creamy whole-milk ricotta, perfectly melted mozzarella, and sharp, salty Parmesan cheese creates the ultimate cheesy filling and topping.
- Marinara Sauce: A quality store-bought marinara sauce works beautifully here, saving you time without sacrificing flavor.
- Aromatics and Seasoning: Yellow onion and fresh garlic build the flavor base, while egg helps bind the filling. Simple seasonings like dried parsley, salt, and pepper are all you need.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Sausage Stuffed Shells
Follow these simple steps for a flawless dish. We’ll guide you from cooking the shells to baking the final, bubbly masterpiece.
- Cook the Shells: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo shells according to package directions, but aim for al dente. They will continue to cook in the oven. Drain them carefully to prevent tearing.
- Brown the Sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and diced onion. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the sausage is browned and the onion is soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Drain any excess grease.
- Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cooked sausage mixture, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Assemble the Dish: Spread a layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Carefully stuff each cooked pasta shell with a generous amount of the sausage and cheese filling. Arrange the filled shells in the baking dish in a single layer.
- Bake to Perfection: Top the shells with the remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top. Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
Pro-Tips from a Seasoned Cook
Want to guarantee your sausage stuffed shells are the best on the block? Here are a few expert tips to elevate your dish from great to unforgettable.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Boiling the shells to al dente is crucial. They will absorb liquid from the sauce and soften further in the oven. Overcooking them initially will result in mushy shells.
- Cool the Filling Slightly: Let the sausage mixture cool for a few minutes before mixing it with the cheeses and egg. This prevents the egg from scrambling and helps the filling hold its shape.
- Use a Piping Bag (or Ziploc): For easy, mess-free stuffing, transfer the filling to a large piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off. This allows you to fill the shells quickly and cleanly. A similar trick works great for making Ham and Egg Cups.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this classic recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a great canvas for creativity. Feel free to mix things up with these tasty variations.
- Add Some Greens: Wilt 5 ounces of fresh spinach and squeeze out all the excess water. Chop it and mix it into the ricotta filling for a delicious sausage and spinach stuffed shells version.
- Spice It Up: Use hot Italian sausage and add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce for an extra kick of heat. For another spicy favorite, try our Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas.
- Change the Cheeses: Swap the mozzarella for a provolone or fontina blend, or add a scoop of creamy mascarpone to the ricotta filling for extra richness.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions
These sausage stuffed shells are a meal prepper’s dream. Here’s how to store, freeze, and reheat them for maximum convenience.
- To Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To Make Ahead: You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly with foil and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the covered baking time.
- To Freeze: For best results, freeze the shells unbaked. Assemble the dish in a freezer-safe pan, cover it tightly with both plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. To bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
- To Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or place the baking dish back in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely. You can assemble the entire dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the initial baking time since it will be chilled.
The key is to cook the shells just until al dente and to handle them gently when draining and stuffing. It’s also helpful to cook a few extra shells, just in case a few tear during the process.
If you’re not a fan of ricotta, you can substitute it with an equal amount of cottage cheese (blended for a smoother texture) or even a cream cheese-based mixture for a different flavor profile.
Mild or hot Italian sausage works best for this recipe. Use whichever you prefer. If you can’t find bulk sausage, you can buy Italian sausage links and simply remove the casings before cooking.
For the best results, freeze the stuffed shells *before* baking. Assemble them in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with both plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
What to Serve with Sausage Stuffed Shells
This dish is a hearty meal on its own, but a few simple sides can complete the experience. A crisp garden salad with a simple vinaigrette is a perfect fresh contrast. For a truly classic Italian-American dinner, you can’t go wrong with warm, crusty garlic bread for soaking up any extra sauce. For another cheesy pasta favorite, check out our Philly Cheesesteak Pasta.
More Delicious Dinner Recipes
We hope you love this easy and delicious recipe for Sausage Stuffed Shells! It’s a comforting meal that brings everyone to the table. If you make it, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment and a rating below, and don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!
Sausage Stuffed Shells Recipe
Sausage Stuffed Shells: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook jumbo shells according to package directions for al dente. Drain carefully and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage and diced onion until sausage is browned and crumbled, and onion is softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Drain excess fat.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked sausage and onion mixture, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, parsley, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Stuff each cooked shell with the sausage and cheese mixture and arrange them in the baking dish.
- Top the shells with the remaining marinara sauce, followed by the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Tip 2: For easy filling, use a piping bag or a large ziplock bag with the corner snipped off.
Tip 3: Use whole-milk ricotta cheese for the creamiest filling.
