Sausage Stuffed Shells with Spinach

 

Ingredients

 

16-18 jumbo pasta shells

1 pound fresh pork sausage links, casing removed

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and squeeze dry

1/2 cup ricotta cheese

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

salt and freshly ground pepper

 

 

Method

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and fill a large bowl with cold water and ice, set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta shells and cook according to package directions. Drain well then add to ice water until ready to stuff.

 

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork sausage then use a wooden spoon to break up the sausage, cook 5-6 minutes until browned.

 

Add garlic and cook 30 seconds then add tomatoes and spinach (make sure the thawed frozen spinach has been squeezed dry); cook 1 minute. Remove pan from heat and stir in ricotta cheese.

 

Using a spoon, fill pasta shells with pork filling and arrange in a baking dish (9-inch x 9-inch baking dish works well). Sprinkle tops with shredded cheese then bake in the oven 25-30 minutes until cheese has melted and tips of shells begin to crisp and brown.