Stuffed Shells with Sausage
Stuffed shells are one of those dinners that feel a little special but are still easy to pull together on a busy day. The sausage adds a hearty, savory flavor that pairs really well with the creamy ricotta filling.
Everything bakes together in one dish, so you get pasta, sauce, and melty cheese in every bite. It’s a great option when you want something warm and filling that the whole table will enjoy.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hearty and filling: Packed with sausage and cheese for a satisfying meal.
- Perfect for family dinners: Makes enough to feed a crowd with ease.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep in advance and bake when ready.
- Classic comfort food: Warm, cheesy, and full of rich Italian flavors.
- Customizable: Easy to swap ingredients to suit your taste.
Stuffed Shells with Sausage Ingredients
- Jumbo shells
- Italian sausage
- Pasta sauce
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Ricotta cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Pepper
- Salt
- Fresh parsley
How To Make Stuffed Shells with Sausage
This visual guide is helpful for making this recipe. For the full printable recipe with measurements, scroll to the bottom of the post.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Boil the noodles according to package directions until tender, then drain and set aside.
Cook the Italian sausage over medium heat in a large skillet, breaking it apart as it cooks until browned.
Pour enough sauce to cover the bottom of a casserole dish.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked sausage, ricotta, parmesan, half of the mozzarella, seasonings, and part of the sauce until well mixed.
Fill each shell with the mixture and arrange them in the prepared casserole dish.
Pour the remaining sauce over the stuffed shells and sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella cheese.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20 to 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, broiling briefly if desired.
Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving.
Stuffed Shells with Sausage FAQs
Can I make stuffed shells ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the dish ahead and refrigerate, then bake when ready.
Can I freeze stuffed shells?
Yes, they freeze well before or after baking. Thaw before reheating.
What can I use instead of sausage?
Ground beef or ground turkey works well.
How do I prevent shells from tearing?
Cook them just until tender and handle gently when stuffing.
Can I use a different cheese blend?
Yes, provolone or a mixed Italian cheese blend can be used.
How do I know when it’s done baking?
The cheese should be melted and bubbly, and the dish heated through.
Variations
Use a different meat: Swap the Italian sausage for ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken. You can also use half sausage and half ground beef for a different flavor.
Add spinach: Stir 1 to 2 cups of chopped fresh spinach or thawed frozen spinach (well drained) into the ricotta mixture for extra vegetables.
Make it spicy: Use hot Italian sausage or add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the filling.
Try a different cheese: Replace some of the mozzarella with provolone, fontina, or an Italian cheese blend for a richer, more complex flavor.
Use homemade marinara: Homemade pasta sauce works just as well if you have it on hand.
Add more vegetables: Mix sautéed mushrooms, diced onions, or bell peppers into the sausage before combining it with the cheese mixture.
Make it extra cheesy: Add ½ cup of shredded Parmesan or Romano cheese to the filling for even more cheesy flavor.
Stuffed Shells with Sausage
Ingredients
- 24 jumbo shells
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 5 cups pasta sauce
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 3 tbsp parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Boil the noodles according to package directions until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Italian sausage over medium heat in a large skillet, breaking it apart as it cooks, until browned.
- Pour enough sauce to cover the bottom of the casserole dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked Italian sausage, ricotta, parmesan, half the mozzarella, seasonings, and 2 cups of the sauce.
- Fill the shells with the mixture, and set them into the prepared casserole dish.
- Pour sauce over the stuffed shells, then top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the casserole dish with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted. You can broil for 2-3 minutes on high to get the cheese nice and bubbly.
- Chop some fresh parsley and sprinkle it over the dish before serving.
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