Classic Stuffed Shells with ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, garlic and herbs stuffed in jumbo shells then topped with Italian sausage, ground beef meat sauce, and cheese! One of my most LOVED dishes to make for dinner. Even the pickiest eater will enjoy this easy recipe.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30-45 minutes

Serves: 8-10

Ingredients:

8-12 ounces jumbo pasta shells

30 oz. ricotta cheese or you can use 1/2 ricotta and 1/2 cottage cheese

1/2 C. grated Parmesan Cheese

2 T. fresh or 1 T.dried parsley

1 T. fresh or dried basil,

1 large egg

Salt and pepper to taste

2 jars good-quality marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce

8 oz. mozzarella cheese, grated

1/2 lb. ground beef, turkey or chicken

1/2 lb. ground sausage

2 chopped cloves of garlic

1 T. balsamic vinegar

What to do:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cook your pasta according to package directions but only cook half the time. You want your pasta to be half done. It will be easier to fill and will cook the rest of the way once you get it in the oven.

In a medium-size bowl, mix together the ricotta, parmesan, parsley, basil, egg, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese. Mix until combined. In a medium-size frying pan, cook your beef, sausage, garlic, and vinegar until well done, drain. Mix your meats with your canned sauces.

To assemble, coat the bottom of a baking dish with some sauce. This will help the pasta not stick to the bottom. Fill each half-cooked shell with the cheese mixture and place face-down on the sauce. Repeat with the shells until the cheese mixture is gone. Top the shells with the remaining sauce. Bake covered for 30 -40 minutes, once done take off the cover and sprinkle with the mozzarella. Cook another 15-20 minutes or place this under the broiler to get it deliciously bubbly.