Cheesy Stuffed Shells with Spicy Sausage Tomato Sauce

 

Ingredients

• 1 box jumbo pasta shells

• 1 30-ounce carton of ricotta cheese

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese, plus additional for sprinkling

• 1/4 cup milk

• 1 pound spicy sausage

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic

• 1 jar spaghetti sauce

• 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained

• Italian seasoning

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook jumbo shells according to directions on package in boiling salted water; drain, rinse with cold water and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, combine ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan and milk in a large bowl; set aside. When shells are cool enough to handle, stuff a couple of spoonfuls of the cheese mixture into each shell.

3. To make the sauce, cook spicy sausage in olive oil in a high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. When sausage is nearly cooked through, add bell pepper, onion, and garlic and continue cooking until vegetables are softened. Add spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning; season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Spread about a cup of sauce in the bottom of a greased casserole dish. Add shells and cover with additional sauce. Cover and cook for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese before serving, if desired.