italian essentials: sausage stuffed pasta shells

Recipe by
Andy Anderson !
Wichita, KS

Most pasta shell recipes are stuffed with cheese, but I thought that I would take it to the next level by using sausage & cheese, and a few other bits and bobs to make them yummy. Actually, this recipe is quite versatile, and you can choose to stuff the shells with any of your favorite ingredients. As a matter of fact, you can choose to serve these as a meal, or individually as appetizers. So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.

yield 2 serving(s)
prep time 20 Min
cook time 30 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For italian essentials: sausage stuffed pasta shells

  • PLAN/PURCHASE
  • 6 oz
    italian sausage
  • 1/4 md
    yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 clove
    garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp
    tomato paste
  • 2 Tbsp
    parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 2 Tbsp
    sweet butter, unsalted
  • 1/4 c
    breadcrumbs, panko variety
  • 1/2 c
    pasta sauce
  • 12 lg
    pasta shells, jumbo
  • 4 oz
    mozzarella, freshly shredded

How To Make italian essentials: sausage stuffed pasta shells

  • 1
    PREP/PREPARE
  • 2
    Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
  • 3
    Place the Italian sausage in a sauté pan over medium heat.
  • 4
    Use a wooden spoon to break up the sausage, and cook until the pink is gone.
  • 5
    Chef’s Note: If your Italian sausage has an abundance of grease, drain the excess grease before proceeding.
  • 6
    Add the diced onion, and continue to cook until the onion softens, about 6 – 8 minutes.
  • 7
    Add the garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 60 seconds.
  • 8
    Reduce the heat to low, add the tomato paste.
  • 9
    Stir to combine.
  • 10
    Remove the mixture from the heat, stir in the parmesan cheese, and reserve in a separate bowl.
  • 11
    Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 350f (175c).
  • 12
    Cook the pasta shells in boiling, salted water, according to package directions, until al dente.
  • 13
    Wipe out the pan, and add the butter over medium heat.
  • 14
    Add the breadcrumbs and cook until golden brown.
  • 15
    Remove from the pan from the heat and reserve.
  • 16
    Add the pasta sauce to an ovenproof baking dish.
  • 17
    Carefully stuff the shells with the sausage/onion mixture.
  • 18
    Place them into the dish with the tomato sauce.
  • 19
    Add the shredded mozzarella, and then sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top.
  • 20
    Place in the preheated oven, and bake until the cheese is bubbly, about 25 – 30 minutes.
  • 21
    PLATE/PRESENT
  • 22
    Finish by sprinkling a bit of freshly grated Parmesan over the top, and serve while still nice and warm. Enjoy.
  • 23
    Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

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