Turn pizza into a fun comfort meal for your family with Pizza Stuffed Pasta Shells! This easy recipe combines everything you love about your favorite pizza with the comfort of pasta in one easy dish. Your family is going to love filling their bellies with delicious shells bursting with pepperoni, sausage and a mixture of ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses all topped with a tangy marinara!
What You Need To Make Pizza Stuffed Pasta Shells for dinner
- jumbo pasta shells
- mini pepperonis
- ground Italian or sage sausage (I use pre cooked sausage crumbles.)
- ricotta cheese
- mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- your favorite prepared marinara sauce
- Italian seasoning
- minced garlic
- dried parsley
- egg
My family loves eating pizza. With them, there are no such things as having too much or having it too often. As a matter of fact, it is quite possible my kids believe it to be one of the major food groups. Sustenance necessary for survival.
But alas, every night can’t be pizza night. Some nights need to be gather around the table nights, sit down together nights warm your soul with warm comfort food nights. Food, that necessitates a fork and conversation and reminds you what being a family is all about.
Dinner table night doesn’t have to be a drag though. Combining what you love best about pizza with velvety pasta, bubbling sauce and melted cheese checks all the boxes and makes for a mouthwatering, homestyle dish that will have the whole crew wanting to sit around the table every night!
How to Make Pizza Stuffed Shells
- Cook 14-15 jumbo pasta shells according to the instructions on their packaging. When al dente, remove from boiling water to drain on a baking rack or wax paper. See this manicotti recipe for why draining the shells in a colander is a mistake!
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together a beaten egg, ricotta, Mozarella & Parmesan cheeses with Italian seasoning, dried parsley and minced garlic.
- Add the pepperoni & sausage to cheese mixture and combine well. I like to use the mini pepperonis in this recipe because of their size in proportion to the other ingredients. (I also hold back a few to sprinkle on top of the dish.) Precooked sausage crumbles found in the breakfast meat section of your local grocery are a handy short cut to getting this dish on the table.
- Using a spoon, gently stuff your pasta shells with the meat & cheese mixture.
- Cover the bottom of a baking dish with half of the marinara. (Use your favorite jarred sauce to make it quick & easy!) Add your stuffed shells in a single layer. Top with the rest of the marinara, a sprinkle of mozarella and bake!
There’s no doubt this easy pizza/pasta combo is a definite family favorite in the making. Get ready for faces to light up and plates to filled. Of course, they’ll be cleaned almost as quickly, but that’s ok. There’ll be enough for seconds and conversation and catching up and all the good things that family dinner time brings.
Customize your Stuffed Shells
- Make this dish your family’s favorite by adding the pizza toppings they love most!
- Sprinkle in some sliced olives, onion, green bell pepper, mushrooms, even ham.
- Serve it with grated Parmesan and red pepper flakes for an even more fun pizza experience.
What to Serve with Pizza Stuffed Pasta Shells
- Italian Green Bean Salad
- Short Cut Pull Apart Rolls
- Apple Spice Mint Tea
- Buttermilk Chocolate Sheet Cake
IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, BE SURE TO LET ME KNOW!
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Pizza Stuffed Pasta Shells
Ingredients
- 14-15 jumbo pasta shells
- 16 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 C grated mozzarella cheese
- ½ C shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 8 oz sausage crumbles
- 4-5 oz mini pepperonis
- 3 C marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
- Cook 14-15 jumbo pasta shells according to instructions on their packaging. When al dente, remove from boiling water to drain on a baking rack or wax paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together beaten egg, ricotta, 1 ¾ C mozarella & parmesan cheeses with Italian seasoning, dried parsley and minced garlic. Add pepperoni & sausage to cheese mixture and combine well.
- Using a spoon, gently stuff your pasta shells with the meat & cheese mixture.
- Cover the bottom of a baking dish with half of the marinara. Add your stuffed shells to the baking dish in a single layer. Top with the rest of the marinara, the remaining mozzarella and bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
Other Pasta Dishes you’ll Love
- Crowd Pleasing Lasagna
- Classic 3 Cheese Baked Manicotti
- Spaghetti Stuffed Garlic Bread
- Rotel Chicken & Spaghetti
- Easy White Ravioli Casserole- A short Cut Lasagna
Very good dish would recommend it for any one to make this for dinner and it was so easy to do.
Hi, Rohtak! I am just tickled that you made and liked this recipe! It is definitely a favorite at my house too.