An Italian Kind Of Night

Tonight seemed like a great night to make this recipe that I found on Pinterest. I know, I'm ADDICTED to Pinterest, but I can't help myself it has brought many a great meal, snack...whatever into my home! :) Tonight was no exception. This meal is fabulous. It only took me about 30 minutes to put together and get it into the oven, and after a long day at work that is so nice!

SAUSAGE & SPINACH STUFFED SHELLS

INGREDIENTS:
1 12-oz. Package Jumbo Pasta Shells
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 C. Yellow Onion; finely chopped
1 Lb. Italian Sausage, casings removed
3 Cloves Garlic; minced
1 Large Egg; lightly beaten
1 15-oz. container Ricotta Cheese
6 or 7 oz. Fresh Spinach; chopped OR 10 oz. Frozen Spinach thawed and drained
1 C. Grated Parmesan Cheese; divided
1 Tbsp. chopped Fresh Basil OR 1 tsp. Dried Basil
1/4 C. Bread Crumbs
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper
1 28-oz. Can Chopped Tomatoes with herbs, including the liquid

Bring a pot of water to boil. Cook Pasta Shells according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water and set aside.

Heat Olive Oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Onions and cook until softened; about 5 minutes. Add the Sausage; breaking into small pieces as it cooks. Cook until the Sausage is no longer pink; about 5 minutes. Add the Garlic and cook until fragrant; about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the Egg, Ricotta Cheese, Spinach, 1/2 C. Parmesan Cheese, Basil, Bread Crumbs, Salt and Pepper. Stir together to combine. Add the cooked Sausage mixture to the bowl and stir until evenly blended.

Preheat the oven to 375. Spread a thin layer of the Chopped Tomatoes in the baking dishes (either three 8x8 pans, or one 9x13 and one 8x8). Stuff each Shell with some Sausage mixture, and arrange in the baking dishes, open side up. Spread the remaining Tomatoes over the top of the Pasta Shells.

Cover the pans with foil and bake for 30 minutes, until hot and bubbling. Remove the foil and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan Cheese. Bake, uncovered for 10 minutes.

I can't even begin to tell you how fabulous these are! Give them a try, I know that you will like them.