This pasta is so good! It is easy to prepare and is perfect for Sunday dinner or an evening of entertaining. The combination of pasta, sausage, and three kinds of cheese is delicious and so comforting. Add a green salad and dinner is served.
Ingredients for Baked Shells with Sausage and Cheese:
serves 6 with leftovers
1 pound medium shells, cooked according to package
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound sausage, casings removed
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Kosher salt
black pepper
4 cups tomato sauce, click HERE for the recipe for our Everyday Tomato Sauce
1- 15-ounce container of ricotta
1/ 2 pound fresh mozzarella, cut into small dice
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Time-Saving Tips: Feel free to use purchased tomato sauce. Baked Shells with Sausage and Cheese can be prepared in advance. Prepare up until baking it in the oven. At this point, the pasta can be wrapped in foil and refrigerated for a day or two. Take it out of the refrigerator about an hour before baking.
Let's see what we need:
Now let's cook.
Preheat the oven to 450-degrees.
Add the olive oil and onion to a large pot. Saute over medium heat until onion softens. Add the sausage and red pepper. Cook while breaking up pieces with a wooden spoon. When the meat is no longer pink add the garlic and stir for about 30 seconds to a minute. Now pour the sauce into the meat mixture. Stir and bring to a boil. Then gently simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
While the sauce is simmering cook the pasta. Once cooked and drained return the shells to the same pot. Fold in the ricotta followed by the mozzarella, half the grated cheese, and nutmeg. Season with a little salt and pepper. Pour in all of the sauce and gently combine.
Pour the pasta mixture into a casserole pan, making sure to evenly distribute. Sprinkle the top of the shells with the grated cheese. Bake for about 25 minutes until bubbly and some of the shells have browned.
It's ready! I can eat pasta every day. Baked Shells with Sausage and Cheese is irresistible. I promise once you make it it will become a family favorite.
Enjoy!
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