CHEESY SAUSAGE-STUFFED SHELLS

Cheesy Sausage-Stuffed Shells image

I wanted to make manicotti one day but was out of the noodles. So I used jumbo shells instead and discovered they were much easier to work with.-Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

12 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
SAUCE:
2/3 pound bulk Italian sausage
2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
1/2 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup water
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
FILLING:
2/3 cup 4% cottage cheese
1-1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

Cook pasta shells according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Set half of the sausage aside for filling. , Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, brown sugar and Italian seasoning to remaining sausage. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes, stirring occasionally., Preheat oven to 350°. Drain pasta. In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, egg, parsley and reserved sausage. Stuff into shells. , Spread 1/2 cup meat sauce into an ungreased shallow 2-qt. baking dish. Arrange stuffed shells in dish; drizzle with remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan if desired. , Bake, uncovered, 25-30 minutes or until bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 459 calories, Fat 20g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 116mg cholesterol, Sodium 1265mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 30g protein.