Italian Stuffed Shells

Oh my are these shells delicious! I ate four of them and had to stop myself from eating more. I had so much trouble restraining myself from the delicious creamy ricotta filling and the flavorful homemade sauce.

Italian Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 cups boiling water
• 3 beef bullion cubes
• 12 ounces tomato paste
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 24 jumbo pasta shells, cooked and drained

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, over medium heat, cook the sausage, onion and garlic, crumbling the sausage as it cooks, until it is completely cooked. Drain any fat from the skillet.
2. While the sausage cooks, add the bouillon cubes to the boiling water and stir until the cubes dissolve.
3. Once the sausage is cooked add in the bouillon, tomato paste and oregano. Stir to mix well.
4. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
5. While the sauce cooks, cook the pasta shells according to the package directions, using the lowest cook time and drain well.
6. While the shells are cooking, in a medium bowl, combine the egg, ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese, Mix well.
7. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
8. Once the shells are done, fill each shell with some of the cheese mixture and place into the prepared baking dish.
9. Pour the meat sauce over the shells.
10. Cover the baking dish and bake for 10 minutes.
11. Uncover the baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
12. Bake an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Enjoy!!!

Notes:
I used a combination of spicy and sweet Italian sausage.

I cooked up about 4 extra noodles, just incase any where to break while cooking.

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 626
Total Fat		29.9g
Saturated Fat		14.4g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat		2.1g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		107.8mg
Sodium		1078mg
Potassium		177.3mg
Total Carbohydrates		57.6g
Dietary Fiber		5.4g
Sugars		8.6g
Protein		35.5g
Vitamin A 25.9% Vitamin C 28.4%
Calcium 44.1% Iron 19%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Taste of Home.