This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors.

If you are using ad-blocking software, please disable it and reload the page.

This easy stuffed pasta dish comes to us from Chef Aaron Morrissey, who's making a difference in his community by teaching teens how to cook at home with virtual classes during Covid

Pro Tip: Save half of the shells for dinner another night! Place half of the stuffed shells in a baking tray, then cover with plastic wrap and freeze. To serve, top frozen shells with sauce and bake uncovered at 350˚F for 45 minutes, then top with shredded mozzarella and broil for 10 minutes more.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • One 12-ounce box jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 pound fresh Italian sausage, removed from the casing
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 2 cups)
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated
  • 2 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 pound mozzarella, grated (about 4 cups total)
  • ½ cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves  , chopped
  • ½ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • One  32-ounce or two 24-ounce jars marinara sauce 

Yield

Serves: 8

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Coat the bottom of a large baking dish with 1 tablespoon olive oil. 

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the shells for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the shells, then arrange on a sheet tray to cool while you make the filling. Discard any broken shells. 

In a medium saucepan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up, and cook until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sausage to a small bowl. Add the onion to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the grated garlic and cook for a minute more. Transfer to the same bowl as the sausage and let cool for about 10 minutes.  

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, parmesan and half of the shredded mozzarella with the herbs. Once the sausage mixture has cooled slightly, mix into the ricotta mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix in the egg.

Coat the bottom of the prepared baking dish with ½ cup sauce. Fill each shell with about 2 tablespoons of the sausage mixture and arrange in the pan with the opening face up. Pour remaining sauce evenly over the shells. 

Bake for 25 minutes, then remove from the oven and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Preheat the broiler, then broil the shells for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, keeping an eye on the shells to keep them from burning. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.