Description
The “Skillet Stuffed Pasta Delight” is a mouth-watering recipe that combines the luscious textures and flavors of stuffed pasta, tender sweet Italian sausage, and a robust tomato sauce. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this recipe not only promises to satisfy your taste buds but also offers a delightful visual treat with its cheese-filled jumbo shells nestled in a savory sauce. Ideal for any day of the week, this dish is relatively easy to prepare and is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 12-14 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 pound loose sweet Italian sausage
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped finely
- 3 cloves of garlic, finely minced
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Pinch of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus 2 tablespoons for topping
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Step-by-step Directions
1. Prepare the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the shells for 8-9 minutes until they are almost al dente but still have a bit of bite. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
2. Cook the Sausage
In a large nonstick skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until brown and almost cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to break it apart as it cooks.
3. Add the Aromatics
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until soft and translucent. Follow with the minced garlic, cooking for another minute to release its fragrance.
4. Make the Sauce
Stir in the tomato paste to the sausage mixture, cooking for 2 minutes until it deepens in color. Gradually add the chicken broth, stirring to incorporate and bring to your desired sauce consistency. Add Italian seasoning, chili powder, sugar, and season with salt and black pepper. Let simmer on low heat for 5-6 minutes, adjusting seasoning as needed.
5. Stuff the Shells
In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, chopped oregano, egg white, and a dash of salt and pepper. Mix well. Spoon this filling into each cooked pasta shell.
6. Combine and Cook
Place the stuffed shells directly into the skillet with the simmering sauce. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese. Cover and cook until the cheese inside the shells has melted, about 6-8 minutes.
Servings & Preparation/Cooking Time
This recipe serves 4-6 people and takes approximately 35 minutes to prepare and cook.
Tips for Storage & Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, place the desired amount in a skillet over medium heat, covered, until heated through. Add a splash of chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
- For longer storage, freeze the cooked and cooled stuffed shells in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe container. They can be stored for up to 2 months.
Conclusion
The Skillet Stuffed Pasta Delight is an exemplary dish that brings the essence of Italian comfort food right into your kitchen. With its rich and hearty sauce, creamy cheese filling, and satisfying pasta shells, it makes for a perfect meal to gather around the table with loved ones. Easy enough for weeknight dinners yet impressive enough for guests, this dish is a versatile addition to any cook’s repertoire.
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Skillet Stuffed Pasta Delight
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
The “Skillet Stuffed Pasta Delight” is a mouth-watering recipe that combines the luscious textures and flavors of stuffed pasta, tender sweet Italian sausage, and a robust tomato sauce. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this recipe not only promises to satisfy your taste buds but also offers a delightful visual treat with its cheese-filled jumbo shells nestled in a savory sauce. Ideal for any day of the week, this dish is relatively easy to prepare and is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 12–14 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 pound loose sweet Italian sausage
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped finely
- 3 cloves of garlic, finely minced
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Pinch of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus 2 tablespoons for topping
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the shells for 8-9 minutes until they are almost al dente but still have a bit of bite. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- Cook the Sausage In a large nonstick skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until brown and almost cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to break it apart as it cooks.
- Add the Aromatics Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until soft and translucent. Follow with the minced garlic, cooking for another minute to release its fragrance.
- Make the Sauce Stir in the tomato paste to the sausage mixture, cooking for 2 minutes until it deepens in color. Gradually add the chicken broth, stirring to incorporate and bring to your desired sauce consistency. Add Italian seasoning, chili powder, sugar, and season with salt and black pepper. Let simmer on low heat for 5-6 minutes, adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Stuff the Shells In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, chopped oregano, egg white, and a dash of salt and pepper. Mix well. Spoon this filling into each cooked pasta shell.
- Combine and Cook Place the stuffed shells directly into the skillet with the simmering sauce. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese. Cover and cook until the cheese inside the shells has melted, about 6-8 minutes.