Description
Mediterranean-inspired Skillet Stuffed Pasta Delight brings comfort and flavor straight from Italian kitchens to your dinner table. Melted cheese, rich herbs, and succulent fillings create a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein:
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 pound loose sweet Italian sausage
Cheese and Filling Ingredients:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (for topping)
- 1 large egg white
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Seasoning and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped finely
- 3 cloves of garlic, finely minced
- ⅓ cup tomato paste
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pinch of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of salted water and submerge pasta shells, cooking until they reach a slightly firm texture, approximately 8-9 minutes. Quickly drain and rinse with cold water to halt further cooking, then set shells aside.
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium temperature and crumble sausage, cooking until it transforms into a rich brown color and nearly completes its cooking process, methodically breaking apart the meat during preparation.
- Introduce finely chopped onions into the skillet, allowing them to soften and become translucent. Incorporate minced garlic and briefly sauté to release its aromatic essence.
- Integrate tomato paste into the sausage mixture, stirring until the color deepens and develops a robust flavor profile. Gradually incorporate chicken broth, creating a harmonious sauce consistency.
- Enhance the sauce with Italian seasoning, chili powder, and a touch of sugar. Season with salt and black pepper, then reduce heat and allow the mixture to simmer, developing depth and complexity.
- Create a creamy filling by blending ricotta cheese, parmesan, chopped oregano, egg white, and a subtle seasoning of salt and pepper until thoroughly combined.
- Carefully stuff each pasta shell with the prepared cheese mixture, ensuring an even distribution of the filling.
- Gently nestle the stuffed shells into the simmering sauce within the skillet. Sprinkle additional parmesan cheese across the top and cover, allowing the cheese to melt and shells to heat through completely.
- Remove from heat when the filling becomes warm and cheese appears completely melted, creating a harmonious union of flavors and textures.
Notes
- Pasta shells cook quickly, so watch carefully to maintain that perfect al dente texture without becoming mushy.
- Sausage selection matters: choose a high-quality ground sausage with robust flavor for the best results.
- Ricotta filling adds creamy richness and helps bind the ingredients inside each pasta shell.
- Simmer sauce on low heat to develop deeper, more complex flavors and prevent burning.
- Parmesan cheese provides a salty, nutty finish that elevates the entire dish’s taste profile.
- One-skillet method means fewer dishes and a streamlined cooking process with maximum flavor impact.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg