Craig'S Stuffed Shells
Craig's Stuffed Shells offers a comforting blend of tender pasta filled with a savory mixture of meats, ricotta, and vegetables, topped with melted mozzarella and rich spaghetti sauce. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this dish combines hearty flavors and cheesy goodness in every bite.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Boil large shells until cooked, then drain and let cool.
- Finely dice the onion and pepper.
- Brown the hamburger and sausage in a frying pan while sauteing the diced onion and pepper at the same time.
- Drain excess grease from the cooked meats and vegetables.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with the cooked hamburger, sausage, onions, and peppers.
- Mix everything together thoroughly.
- Add salt and pepper to taste to the mixture.
- Stuff each large shell with the mixture to capacity.
- Spread a 1/4 inch layer of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of a casserole dish.
- Arrange the stuffed shells side by side in the dish.
- Cover the shells with a light coating of additional red sauce.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F for 1 hour.
- Remove the foil and sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the shells.
- Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the dish cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, consider using ground turkey instead of hamburger and sausage. You can also add spinach to the ricotta mixture for extra nutrition. If you're short on time, use pre-made stuffed shells or skip the baking step and serve the mixture over pasta. For extra flavor, incorporate Italian herbs like oregano or basil into the stuffing.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the stuffed shells with a simple green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. A glass of red wine, such as Chianti, pairs beautifully with this dish. For a fun twist, try serving them alongside Spinach, Sausage And Cheese Manicotti for a delightful Italian feast that showcases different pasta shapes.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover stuffed shells can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual servings for convenience.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Craig'S Stuffed Shells contains roughly 573 calories, with 30g protein, 40g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (59% of the Daily Value) and calcium (45% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1327mg per serving (58% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze the stuffed shells before baking?
Yes, you can freeze the stuffed shells before baking. Assemble the dish, cover tightly with foil, and freeze. When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake as directed, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.
What can I substitute for ricotta cheese?
If you don't have ricotta cheese, you can substitute it with cottage cheese, which offers a similar texture. Blending the cottage cheese until smooth can help achieve a closer consistency to ricotta. Alternatively, cream cheese can be used for a richer flavor.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! To make vegetarian stuffed shells, simply omit the hamburger and sausage, and instead use a mixture of sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach. You can also add extra cheese for flavor and texture, making it a delicious option for vegetarians.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).