Spicy Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells: Your New Favorite Dinner!
Hey there! Are you looking for a dinner that’s super tasty and not too hard to make? Well, you’re in luck! We’ve got a fantastic recipe for Spicy Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells. It’s a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a weeknight meal or even a casual get-together with friends. This recipe combines classic comfort food with a little kick, making it a real crowd pleaser.
What You’ll Need
Gather up these ingredients to make your delicious stuffed shells:
- One box (12 ounces) jumbo pasta shells
- One pound sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
- One tablespoon olive oil
- One medium onion, chopped
- Two cloves garlic, minced
- One (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- One (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
- One large egg, lightly beaten
- One half cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- One teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Two (24 ounce) jars marinara sauce
- One cup shredded mozzarella cheese
How to Make It
Let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps to create your amazing stuffed shells.
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Cook the Pasta Shells: First, you need to cook the jumbo pasta shells. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the shells and cook them according to the package directions until they are al dente, which means they should still have a slight bite. Be careful not to overcook them, or they’ll be too soft to stuff. Once they’re done, drain them and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process. Set them aside on a baking sheet so they don’t stick together.
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Brown the Sausage: While the pasta is cooking, it’s time to get started on the filling. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and break it up with a spoon. Cook the sausage until it’s nicely browned and no pink is left. This usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet.
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Sauté the Aromatics: To the same skillet with the cooked sausage, add the chopped onion. Cook the onion until it becomes soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it’s fragrant. Make sure the garlic doesn’t burn.
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Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cooked sausage and onion mixture, the thawed and squeezed dry spinach, the ricotta cheese, the beaten egg, and the half cup of Parmesan cheese. Stir in the Italian seasoning. Season with salt and black pepper to your liking. Mix everything together really well until it’s all combined. This is your delicious stuffing mixture.
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Assemble the Shells: Now for the fun part , stuffing the shells! Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread about one cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Carefully take each cooked pasta shell and fill it generously with the sausage and spinach mixture. You can use a spoon or your hands for this. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, making sure they are nestled close together.
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Sauce and Cheese: Once all the shells are stuffed and arranged, pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top of the shells. Make sure to cover them as much as possible. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce. You can also add a little extra grated Parmesan cheese on top if you like.
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Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden brown. The sauce should also be simmering nicely.
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Rest and Serve: Let the stuffed shells rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken a bit and makes it easier to serve. Serve hot and enjoy your amazing homemade dinner!
Nutritional Value (Approximate per serving)
Here’s a general idea of what you’re getting with each serving of these delicious stuffed shells:
- Calories: Around 550-650 calories
- Protein: About 30-35 grams
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 40-45 grams
Keep in mind that these are just estimates. The actual numbers can change based on the specific ingredients you use, like the type of sausage and the amount of cheese.
Health Benefits
Eating this Spicy Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells recipe offers some great benefits. The Italian sausage provides a good source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues in your body. Spinach is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins like A, C, and K, as well as minerals such as iron and calcium. It’s also a good source of fiber, which helps with digestion. The ricotta cheese adds more protein and calcium, important for bone health. While it’s a comforting and filling meal, enjoying it in moderation is key as part of a balanced diet. You can even pair it with a fresh side salad for extra vitamins and fiber.
If you’re looking for other protein-packed meal ideas, you might like our Power Up Your Day with Creamy Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad recipe. It’s a lighter option that’s also full of goodness.
Disclaimer: This recipe information is provided by pezni for general informational purposes only.