My family loves pasta in any form and pasta shells are a big favorite! This dish is easy to make and feeds a crowd. The recipe makes two 9X11 pans. When I make it I often serve one for dinner and freeze one for later. It’s also an excellent dish to take to a potluck dinner. While I usually make this dish with spinach it also tastes great if you use swiss chard instead. The crunch of the swiss chard stems adds a nice texture to the dish. Don’t let the amount of cheese scare you; while it is a rich dish it does make 40 large shells and I find 3 shells is a nice serving size. Add a nice green salad and you have a delicious meal.
5-Cheese Stuffed Pasta Shells
1 pound Italian sausage bulk or casings removed
1 pound lean ground beef
1 onion chopped fine
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz baby spinach
8 oz cream cheese, cubed
1 Egg
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 ½ cups cottage cheese
Salt and pepper to taste.
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
40 jumbo pasta shells, cooked and cooled.
2 jars pasta sauce, your favorite.
Brown sausage meat and beef. Mix in onion and garlic and cook until onion is soft. Drain fat off if necessary. Add in spinach until wilted. In a large bowl mix meat mixture with spinach, egg, half of the mozzarella, all other cheeses and salt and pepper to taste. Spoon mixture into pasta shells. Put a thin layer of tomato sauce at the bottom of the pan then add stuffed shells in single layer. Pour pasta sauce over shells until nicely covered with sauce. Cover pan with tin foil. Bake in a 350 oven for 45 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Return to oven for 5 minutes.This makes a very large batch. I usually make two 9 x 11 pans and cook one for dinner that night and freeze one for later. When I am ready to serve the frozen dinner I thaw in the refrigerator overnight then follow the same baking instructions. Feeds approximately 10 – 12 people.
- 1 pound Italian sausage bulk or casings removed
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped fine
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz baby spinach
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1 Egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups cottage cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 40 jumbo pasta shells, cooked and cooled.
- 2 jars pasta sauce, your favorite.
- Brown sausage meat and beef. Mix in onion and garlic and cook until onion is soft. Drain fat off if necessary. Add in spinach until wilted.In a large bowl mix meat mixture with spinach, egg, half of the mozzarella, all other cheeses and salt and pepper to taste. Spoon mixture into pasta shells. Put a thin layer of tomato sauce at the bottom of the pan then add stuffed shells in single layer. Pour pasta sauce over shells until nicely covered with sauce. Cover pan with tin foil. Bake in a 350 oven for 45 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Return to oven for 5 minutes.This makes a very large batch. I usually make two 9 x 11 pans and cook one for dinner that night and freeze one for later. When I am ready to serve the frozen dinner I thaw in the refrigerator overnight then follow the same baking instructions.
jelly says
September 5, 2013 at 3:27 amThat looks great. I have had this dish before. Some different things in your recipe, that I think will give it more flavour. Thanks
Terry (My Journey With Candida) says
September 5, 2013 at 6:44 amMy mother in law makes these… but I like your recipe better than hers. Going to try this out on my Hubs one day.
Jen says
September 5, 2013 at 6:50 amLooks delish!!
snickers says
September 5, 2013 at 7:19 amThis looks very yummy, and I like the idea of making a big batch and freezing for another day.
Dawn ~ Spatulas On Parade says
September 5, 2013 at 8:11 amI would love this, my dh would not. He is not a cheese eater. I’ll have to make it for my son and keep a little for myself.
Stormy Gonzalez says
September 5, 2013 at 8:51 amMy family loves shells too. I will have to try this, and serve it all up in place of the more traditional ones we serve. This looks soo yummy, and a bit lighter than our version!
kristi says
September 5, 2013 at 9:19 amI love the addition of the baby spinach. My family loves pasta too and this would be a big here. I love the idea of freezing a batch for a quick meal on a busy night!
Areeba says
September 5, 2013 at 10:09 amYummmmmmmmmmmmmmy! Me and my twin are the biggest fan of pasta! Thanks for sharing! :))
Bobbi Burleson says
September 5, 2013 at 10:51 amYum yum yum!! With the weather finally cooling down I can actually think about using my oven again!!
Tess says
September 5, 2013 at 10:54 amYum, yum, yum!! I love anything with cheese on it. Im always looking for new things to serve. thanks!
DI says
September 5, 2013 at 11:12 amYum! Love the addition of spinach and love that it’s freezer friendly.
Sarah Bailey says
September 5, 2013 at 11:25 amOh that looks nice – I do love a bit of pasta from time to time 🙂 x
Akhil says
September 5, 2013 at 11:36 amI love pasta..yummy!! A perfect recipe for everyone to change their taste 🙂
Anita Breeze says
September 5, 2013 at 11:53 amOh ya, my kids love anything with pasta, I will try these stuffed shells out, and find a low carb way to eat this as well!
Rosey says
September 5, 2013 at 11:54 amOh how I could come dig right in for dinner tonight!! These look lovely.
Pam@IW says
September 5, 2013 at 1:01 pmI think these look delicious and seem like something my family would eat. I am going to make them as soon as it cools down outside also. We have had over 100 degree days here for awhile and I have been doing most of my cooking on the grill.
Corinne says
September 5, 2013 at 1:23 pmThese look delicious. What a great recipe for when you are cooking for a friend in need since it makes enough to feed their family and yours! Thanks for sharing.
Melinda Dunne says
September 5, 2013 at 3:01 pmI make a similar recipe but haven’t tried it with cream cheese. I bet that really kicks things up a notch. I am going to pin this for later. I can’t wait to try your recipe.
Growing Up Madison says
September 5, 2013 at 4:30 pmOMG I have to make this. We love making stuffed shells. I’m am so going to pin this so I don’t forget.
Alice says
September 5, 2013 at 4:57 pmThis sounds so good!
Dreamingofthebeach says
September 5, 2013 at 5:12 pmI am going to pin this too!!!
Ann@IW says
September 5, 2013 at 5:12 pmFIVE kinds of cheese! Looks like a great option for when I make some freeze-ahead, bake-later dishes for my son and his roommate! The pictures are soooo appetizing!
Pam Burbey says
September 5, 2013 at 5:24 pmPatty, that looks wonderful. I love stuffed shells and want to give your recipe a try..looks easy and delish!
Anya@IW says
September 5, 2013 at 5:38 pmYummy, Patty! Somehow I imagine serving this with football on TV and fall in the air. I love your recipes – they are always easy to follow (even for a non-chef like me) and appeal to most everyone. Thanks for sharing again.
Melanie says
September 5, 2013 at 6:08 pmWonderful recipe! I love stuffed shells, this is an easy one too. Must pin this right away!
Michelle H says
September 5, 2013 at 7:16 pmThese look so amazing! I wish I had time to make stuffed pasta these days!
Robyn says
September 5, 2013 at 7:51 pmMy daughter loves pasta, so I will try these.
Courtney Pies says
September 5, 2013 at 8:33 pmThis looks delicious! This would definitely be a big hit in my family, as we love any kind of Italian/pasta dish!
JennieIW says
September 5, 2013 at 9:02 pmThese look delicious! Will have try soon.
Victoria Howe says
September 6, 2013 at 12:57 amThis is going in my to-do family meal list! Sounds delicious xx
amanda says
September 6, 2013 at 4:24 amyummy. yummy. yummy. i think i’m going to go buy some spinach
Healy Harpster says
September 6, 2013 at 6:00 amYum! That really makes me hungry. Thanks for the recipe, will surely try this.
maria @close to home says
September 6, 2013 at 8:33 amlove these I have not made stuffed shells forever, you can probably freeze them for quick meals too. Love for you to share them on friday food frenzy today http://www.stayingclosetohome.com/showcase-food-recipes-friday-food-frenzy-96.html
Amy Boyington says
September 6, 2013 at 8:40 amStuffed shells are a favorite of my family’s, and this recipe sounds delicious!
Shauna says
September 6, 2013 at 8:41 amwow, these look very easy to make and very ‘freezable’ thank you
Pam@IW says
September 6, 2013 at 8:41 amMaria,
Thanks for the invite…I did go over and share.
samantha says
September 6, 2013 at 10:03 amLooks Yummy
always up for trying something new
Erica Ardali says
September 6, 2013 at 10:11 amThis sounds deelish!
Karen says
September 6, 2013 at 10:58 amThese look so yummy and simple to make too
Aida Ingram says
September 6, 2013 at 8:25 pmI love this recipe. It looks not only nutritious it also seemed like a really easy recipe to make. Plus, anything with cheese is great!
Rachel Harris says
September 10, 2013 at 8:42 amLooks SO good! We just made a stuffed shell recipe but it had mushrooms and a few other things I didn’t like, so I left them out, and while it was good, it was lacking. It needed a little something extra. This looks PERFECT. Thanks <3
Brooke B. says
September 10, 2013 at 4:10 pmThese look amazing! They sound like the perfect comfort dish to come home to on a chilly fall evening. Thank you for sharing!
ShannonR says
September 10, 2013 at 7:50 pmThis looks sooo good and doesnt look too hard. I have all the ingredients accept the cottage cheese, so this is what I am going to make tomorrow night for dinner. Cant wait.
Mer says
September 11, 2013 at 1:07 pmThis looks delicious! And while it make make a bit too much for us, it’s good to know that it’s freezable. Having extras all assembled in the freezer would be so helpful for those busy nights.
manekeniko says
September 12, 2013 at 5:56 amLooks nice enough to serve at a party. Can I come to dinner?
Lily@IW says
September 12, 2013 at 8:05 amOh yum! I love this recipe. You make it look easy. I can’t wait to try it. I’m picking up the shells next time I go to the grocery store.
Karen D says
September 14, 2013 at 10:54 amSounds delicious! And I like the idea of cook once, serve twice!
Ann@iw says
September 16, 2013 at 5:19 pmAck! I have everything to make this…actually, I planned to double it to give to my son, too. But, someone bought every single box of jumbo shells from my usual store. :(. I will have to wait a few more days. 🙁
Shar says
October 1, 2013 at 5:24 pmThis recipe caught my eye. I haven’t made stuffed shells for a long time & I am so glad I saw this. Now that the weather is getting cooler I have gotta’ make this again.
judy gardner says
October 27, 2013 at 2:06 pmthis sounds and looks so good! i have never made stuffed shells with cheddar but it sounds good.
CJWhodunit says
November 1, 2013 at 7:55 amAwesome! I’d like to see you write a cookbook someday too, Pie! 🙂
Holly Uhler says
November 4, 2013 at 4:48 pmthese look really good. such a bummer the fiance wont eat anything with ricotta in them.
Susan Broughton says
November 5, 2013 at 1:35 amThese look so good! I am going to have to pin this for next dinner we fix!
in the hammock says
November 8, 2013 at 5:15 pmthese look delicous! i’m always looking for new things to try!
Anita L says
November 10, 2013 at 5:19 amYour recipe looks delicious! My hubby does not care for spinach, but I just may be able to sneak it in!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sylvia Zajis says
November 24, 2013 at 6:23 amI haven’t made stuffed shells in probably about a year. I normally just stuff them with a cheese mixture but these sound sooo yummy. I will definitely be trying these this winter.
melissa cushing says
December 7, 2013 at 12:53 pmLooks delicious!!! I have yet to find a recipe for Stuffed Shells that I love, but this one with Spinach looks amazing! I actually love spinach with anythign Italian…. I have had a veggie style lasagna before that was incredible!!! Thanks for the recipe and I will leave a post once I make this to tell you all about it!
marylou sakosky says
December 7, 2013 at 7:07 pmGlad I looked in recipes. love it .and pinned it too gave site url for recipe thanks for sharing . 😉
Heather Pontruff says
December 16, 2013 at 1:10 pmI’ve done this recipe over and over again; one of my fiance’s favorites. Have you tried switching out the ground beef for andouille? It’s 10 times better
PattyPie says
December 16, 2013 at 5:17 pmSounds like a great substitution Heather! Do you used andouille and the Italian sausage or just straight andouille?
The best recipes are ones you make your own! 😉
lisa says
December 21, 2013 at 11:40 amThat sounds really good. I can eat pasta anytime. It’s one of those meals where you can add pretty much whatever you like without messing it up.
Gale McCarron says
December 21, 2013 at 9:31 pmLoving this recipe! Never tried it with the spinach. I may just make these for the holiday. My kids love pasta dishes. Thank you!
rebeccabasset says
December 30, 2013 at 5:03 pmOoohh this sounds delicious, made me hungry. I will save this Recipe and make it for Dinner.
Thanks for the Post, Picture, and the Recipe, YUMMY!
lisa says
January 7, 2014 at 9:03 amThanks. I loved stuffed shells. You can pretty much add whatever you like with pasta.
Shannon says
January 13, 2014 at 7:17 pmSounds like an easy dinner. I would make it with either Boca/Morningstar Crumbles or ground seitan…But I am a vegetarian and to quote Jules “my girlfriend’s a vegetarian, which, pretty much makes me a vegetarian.” LOL…my husband loves that line. He loves me so he has given up a lot of things for me including veal, goat, sheep and lamb.
Shells & Cheese side effects says
April 25, 2014 at 4:32 pmHoly crap, thanks very much for posting this! It is going to aid me when I order Shells & Cheese at the grocery store! Very Marvelous!
Shannon says
August 7, 2014 at 5:08 amThis looks really delicious. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe with us.
Barrie says
January 3, 2018 at 2:24 pmThis is exactly what I need. I’m having outpatient surgery next week and need meals that can be put in the oven that I can make ahead!
Marisela Zuniga says
January 6, 2018 at 12:02 pmWow, this looks really good! I need to try this recipe out soon, I know my family would love it too
kate g says
September 12, 2018 at 7:10 pmNow that is a pasta I could love. I’m a big cheese fan and who doesn’t like pasta? I read an article today from a reliable news magazine that said people who ate cheese and butter every day live longer. In ten years they may prove that false, but I’m going to choose to believe it and be sure to have garlic bread (with butter) when I serve this pasta.
Lynne B says
September 13, 2018 at 11:00 amI’ve had stuffed shells in restaurants. I’ve never tried to make them at home. I love all that cheese!
Karen Propes says
September 13, 2018 at 1:58 pmThese 5 Cheese Stuffed Pasta Shells look delicious. I know this will become one of our go to’s for dinner. I can’t wait to get everything and start cooking. Thanks so much for sharing.
Tamra Phelps says
October 22, 2018 at 4:18 pmI love pasta and cheese stuffed pasta shells are among my favorites. This looks absolutely delicious.
Konstantina says
December 17, 2018 at 1:21 pmI really like cheese. This recipe must be so delicious!!! I can’t wait to try and recreate it.