These million dollar stuffed shells are pure comfort food. Shell pasta is stuffed with a creamy cheese filling and baked in a tasty tomato sauce with plenty of sausage.
Million Dollar Stuffed Shells
These million dollar stuffed shells are pure comfort food. Shell pasta is stuffed with a creamy cheese filling and baked in a tasty tomato sauce with plenty of sausage.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces dried jumbo shell macaroni
- 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped bell pepper
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (24-ounce jar marinara sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper optional
- 1 16-ounce container cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water until cool.
- Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage, onion, bell pepper, and garlic; cook and stir until sausage is browned and fully cooked.
- Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper, if using. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to meld flavors.
- Spread 2 cups sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Combine cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and parsley in a bowl.
- Divide cheese mixture between pasta shells, stuffing with 1 scant tablespoon per shell.
- Arrange shells evenly over sauce in the baking dish.
- Spoon remaining sauce over shells and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly, 25 minutes. Tent loosely with foil if it starts to get overbrowned.
- Garnish with additional parsley.
