Italian Sausage Stuffed Shells | Easy Cheesy Baked Pasta Recipe

Savory Italian sausages are simmered in one of my favorite marinara sauces, infused with bold garlic and sweet peppers. This rich, flavorful mixture is stuffed into tender pasta shells, baked to perfection, and finished with a generous layer of melted cheese. Every bite is hearty, cheesy, and full of comforting Italian flavor—an absolute crowd-pleaser!

Oven Temperature: 350°F

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground sweet Italian sausage
• 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 tablespoons fresh minced garlic
• 1/2 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 tablespoons ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons CRAVE Italian Seasoning
• 2 tablespoons CRAVE Cajun Seasoning
• 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1 box jumbo pasta shells
• 1 jar marinara sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks.
3. Add the green pepper, red pepper, onion, and minced garlic.
4. Continue cooking until the sausage is completely cooked through and the vegetables have softened.
5. Drain any excess grease and return the sausage mixture to the skillet.
6. Add the drained diced tomatoes, ricotta cheese, cream cheese, CRAVE Italian Seasoning, and CRAVE Cajun Seasoning.
7. Stir until everything is well combined and the cheeses are incorporated into the sausage mixture.
8. Mix in 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, then remove from the heat and set aside.
9. Cook the jumbo shells according to the package directions.
10. Once cooked, drain the shells and return them to the pot with cold water. This will cool them enough to handle and help keep them from sticking together.
11. Pour half of the marinara sauce into the bottom of a heatproof baking dish.
12. Remove one shell from the water and spoon the sausage mixture inside, generously filling the shell.
13. Place the stuffed shell in the baking dish and repeat until all the filling is used.
14. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells.
15. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
16. Remove the foil and top with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
17. Return to the oven and continue baking until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
18. Serve hot with a side of your favorite vegetables.

Say Your Grace and Enjoy! ❤️