Accidental Spicy Spinach Shells

A mixture of spicy sausage, cheese, tomato, onion, and bell pepper fill pasta shells in this recipe.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 955 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ onion, diced
• ¼ cup diced red bell pepper
• ½ large tomato, diced
• 1 ½ cups chopped fresh spinach
• 1 (16 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1 (16 ounce) package shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 (26 ounce) jar tomato sauce
• 1 (16 ounce) package pasta shells
• 4 spicy Italian sausages, casings removed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta shells in boiling water until cooked through but firm to the bite, 12 minutes. Drain.

Step 3

Cook sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until completely browned, 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 4

Melt Monterey Jack cheese in a saucepan over medium-low heat, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir spinach, tomato, onion, and bell pepper into the cheese; cook until hot, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

Step 5

Spoon sausage, Monterey Jack cheese mixture, and ricotta cheese into the pasta shells; arrange in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour tomato sauce over the stuffed shells.

Step 6

Bake in preheated oven until the sauce is hot and bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes.