Cheesy Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Pasta Shells

Purchase the jumbo pasta shells for this, do not cook the shells until very soft leave slightly undercooked, this may be completely assembled and refrigerated up to 1 day ahead, the cheese mixture may be mixed and refrigerated also up to 1 day ahead

Yield 24 shells

Ingredients:

1 pound bulk Italian sausage meat (mild or spicy)

1 medium onion chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced (garlic lovers can use more)

1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach (cooked according to package directions then hand-squeezed dry)

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cubed and softened

1 large egg

3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1 cup full-fat creamed cottage cheese

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, or to taste

24 jumbo pasta shells, cooked and drained then rinsed under cold water

3 cups prepared marinara sauce (if you like lots of sauce then use more)

Instructions:

Grease two 11 x 7-inch baking dishes (or use a baking dish large enough to hold all 24 stuffed shells).

In a skillet cook the sausge meat with onion and garlic until browned; drain fat then transfer to a large bowl.

Stir in spinach and cream chese until thoroughly combined; cool slightly then mix in egg.

Add in 1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, 1 cup Parmesan cheese, salt and black pepper; mix to combine.

Stuff the pasta shells with the mixture.

Arrange the shells into two greased baking dishes (12 shells in each baking dish).

At this point you may cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Drizzle about 1-1/2 cups or more of marinara sauce over the shells (about 1-1/2 cups for each baking dish if you like lots of sauce then use more).

Cover with foil and bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven (bottom rack) for 45 minutes.

Uncover sprinkle the top with about 1-1/2 cups or more of shredded mozzarella cheese then return to oven and bake 8-10 minutes longer.

Related posts:

Cheesy Stuffed Sausage and Spinach Pasta Shells

Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Creamy Sausage and Spinach Penne Bake

Kitten’s Spinach and Four-Cheese Manicotti

Chicken Spinach Manicotti

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