Spinach Cheese and Sausage Stuffed Shells Oamc
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with these Spinach, Cheese, and Sausage Stuffed Shells OAMC—a hearty and flavorful dish that's perfect for family dinners or meal prep enthusiasts. Tender jumbo pasta shells are generously stuffed with a creamy, savory filling of Italian sausage, ricotta, mozzarella, and a touch of Parmesan cheese, balanced with the wholesome goodness of fresh spinach and aromatic garlic. Smothered in rich marinara sauce and topped with melty cheese, these baked shells are a delightful centerpiece for any table. Designed with "once-a-month cooking" (OAMC) in mind, this recipe is freezer-friendly, making it an ideal make-ahead dinner solution for busy nights. Serve alongside a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a crowd-pleasing Italian feast that’s easy to love!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 25 pieces Jumbo pasta shells
- 1 pound Ground Italian sausage
- 10 ounces Fresh spinach
- 15 ounces Ricotta cheese
- 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large Egg
- 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 24 ounces Marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook until just al dente, according to package instructions (usually 9–11 minutes). Drain and set aside to cool.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the ground Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
In the same skillet, add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2–3 minutes. Drain any excess liquid and finely chop the spinach.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked sausage, chopped spinach, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan, the egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Using a spoon, carefully stuff each pasta shell with the sausage and cheese mixture, then place the filled shells seam-side up in the baking dish. Repeat until all the shells are filled.
Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are evenly covered. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3722 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 266.3 g | 341% | |
| Saturated Fat | 119.8 g | 599% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1043 mg | 348% | |
| Sodium | 10245 mg | 445% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 115.6 g | 42% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.9 g | 53% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.5 g | ||
| Protein | 231.0 g | 462% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 4767 mg | 367% | |
| Iron | 19.8 mg | 110% | |
| Potassium | 1900 mg | 40% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
