Sausage-Stuffed Shells
1/3 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/3 cup cottage cheese
3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
2 tablespoons beaten egg
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh parsley
6 jumbo pasta shells, cooked and drained
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional
In a saucepan, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Set half of the
sausage aside for filling. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, brown sugar and
Italian seasoning to sausage in pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for
15 minutes, stirring occasionally. In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese, 1/2 cup
mozzarella cheese, egg, parsley and reserved sausage. Stuff into shells. Spread 1/4 cup
meat sauce in an ungreased 1-qt. shallow baking dish. Place stuffed shells in dish; drizzle
with remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan if desired.
Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until filling reaches 160°.
Yield: 2 servings.