Description
Creamy Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells combine tender jumbo pasta shells filled with a rich mixture of Italian sausage, cream cheese, spinach, and Parmesan, all baked in a flavorful marinara sauce topped with melted mozzarella. This comforting Italian-American casserole is perfect for a hearty family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 6 ounces dried jumbo pasta shells (about 1/2 box)
Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Filling
- 1.5 pounds Italian sausage (mild or hot)
- 1 onion, diced
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 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 ready for baking the stuffed shells.
- Cook Pasta Shells: Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside carefully to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Filling: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and diced onion, cooking until the sausage is browned and no longer pink, and the onions are soft.
- Add Creamy Ingredients: Stir in the cream cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and pressed garlic cloves. Continue stirring until the cheeses melt and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Incorporate Greens and Herbs: Add the chopped fresh spinach and fresh parsley to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly and cook until the spinach wilts.
- Prepare Casserole Dish: Spread half of the marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13 inch casserole dish to create a flavorful base.
- Stuff Shells: Carefully fill each cooked pasta shell with a spoonful of the sausage and spinach mixture. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer over the marinara sauce in the casserole dish, filling side up.
- Top with Sauce and Cheese: Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the arranged shells. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top to cover.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the stuffed shells are heated through.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let stand for a few minutes before serving for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for Italian sausage for a leaner option.
- Fresh spinach can be replaced with frozen spinach, thoroughly drained, if fresh is unavailable.
- For a spicier dish, use hot Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes to the filling.
- Leftover stuffed shells can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Gluten-free jumbo pasta shells can be used to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: stuffed shells, sausage pasta, creamy stuffed shells, spinach pasta recipe, baked pasta casserole
