Large pasta shells, stuffed with ricotta, spinach, sausage and more cheese, these spinach stuffed shells are a make-ahead/freezer cooking DREAM. Packed full of flavor, this is a family friendly, freezer friendly, wallet friendly favorite!
24ouncesmarinara sauce(homemade or store-bought I'm not judging)
1cupshredded cheesecheddar, mozzarella, parmesan - you choose
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350℉.
Cook 12 ounces large shells according to package directions, drain and let cool.
In a large skillet, cook 1 pound mild italian sausage until done, and in crumbles. Let it cool.
In a large bowl, combine the 12 ounces frozen spinach, 2 pound ricotta cheese, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and salt and pepper
Add the cooled sausage crumbles.
Add a cup of the marinara sauce to the bottom of a large baking dish (or two smaller ones if you are freezing one).
Fill the shells with the mixture, and place (filling side up) in the dish.
Drizzle remaining marinara sauce over the shells.
Sprinkle with 1 cup shredded cheese.
Bake for 30 minutes, and serve.
Devour.
Freezing directions
In a foil or other disposable dish, complete to Step 8. Cover with foil, label with "thaw, then bake 30 minutes at 350℉" or "from frozen cook 1 hr at 350℉"
Wrap plastic wrap over the foil, and freeze (I also put this in a ziploc)
Freeze for up to 6 months.
Notes
Don’t overcook the shells. Keep them al dente so they don’t tear.
Drain the spinach well. This keeps the filling from getting watery.
Let the sausage cool slightly. So it mixes in smoothly.
Use a bag to fill. Makes stuffing the shells quick and easy.