Description
Classic Italian pasta Stuffed Shells Skillet Delight brings Mediterranean comfort to dinner tables. Melted cheese, rich marinara, and herb-infused pasta create a memorable meal you will savor with pure satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 lb (454 g) loose sweet Italian sausage
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps grated parmesan cheese (for topping)
- 1 large egg white
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped finely
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ⅓ cup tomato paste
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp fresh oregano, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 pinch chili powder
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook shells in salted water until slightly firm, drain, and rinse with cold water to prevent overcooking.
- Sausage Foundation: Brown sausage in a skillet, methodically breaking it down while cooking, creating a rich, textured base.
- Aromatic Vegetable Layer: Sauté onions until translucent, add garlic, and briefly cook to release its fragrant qualities.
- Sauce Development: Incorporate tomato paste, deepening the color and flavor. Pour in chicken broth to create a smooth, cohesive sauce.
- Seasoning Transformation: Blend Italian seasoning, chili powder, sugar, salt, and pepper into the sauce. Simmer to develop complex flavor nuances.
- Cheese Filling Fusion: Combine ricotta, parmesan, oregano, egg white, salt, and pepper into a creamy, well-integrated mixture.
- Shell Stuffing Technique: Generously fill each pasta shell with the prepared cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Skillet Finishing: Nestle stuffed shells into the simmering sauce, top with additional parmesan, and cover to allow cheese to melt and flavors to meld.
- Final Presentation: Remove from heat when filling is warm and cheese is completely melted, creating a harmonious culinary experience.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook shells just shy of al dente to prevent mushiness during final skillet cooking.
- Sausage Sizzle: Use high-quality ground sausage and thoroughly break down for even flavor distribution.
- Cheese Blend Technique: Ensure ricotta mixture is smooth and well-combined to create creamy, consistent filling.
- Skillet Simmering Secret: Cover and cook on low heat to allow flavors to meld and prevent sauce from burning or drying out.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg