Creamy Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells Recipe
Creamy Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells are a comforting Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring jumbo pasta shells filled with a rich mixture of Italian sausage, cream cheese, spinach, and Parmesan. Topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella, this hearty casserole is perfect for a family dinner or special occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 6 ounces dried jumbo pasta shells (about 1/2 box)
Sauce and Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Filling
- 1.5 pounds Italian sausage (mild or hot)
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, pressed
- 8 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350˚F (175˚C) to get it ready for baking the stuffed shells.
- Cook Pasta Shells: Boil the jumbo pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool enough to handle.
- Make the Filling: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown the Italian sausage along with the diced onion until the sausage is no longer pink and the onion is translucent.
- Add Cream Cheese and Flavorings: Stir in the cream cheese, grated Parmesan, and pressed garlic cloves to the sausage mixture, cooking until everything is melted and combined into a creamy filling.
- Incorporate Greens and Herbs: Add the chopped fresh spinach and parsley to the skillet and stir until the spinach wilts and all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spread half of the marinara sauce evenly in the bottom of a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Fill Pasta Shells: Spoon the sausage and spinach mixture into each cooked pasta shell and arrange them filling side up in the casserole dish over the marinara sauce.
- Assemble and Top: Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly on top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the shells are heated through.
Notes
- Use mild or hot Italian sausage based on your spice preference.
- Make sure to drain the pasta shells well to prevent watery casserole.
- You can substitute spinach with other leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard if desired.
- For a smoother filling, soften the cream cheese before adding.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven for best results.
Keywords: stuffed shells, Italian sausage pasta, creamy pasta bake, spinach stuffed shells, baked pasta casserole, Italian comfort food
