Description
These Slow Cooker Stuffed Shells with Meat are cheesy, hearty, and perfect for busy weeknights. Packed with ricotta, mozzarella, and flavorful Italian sausage, they cook low and slow for a delicious, stress-free dinner.
Ingredients
1 lb Italian sausage (or ground beef/turkey)
20 jumbo pasta shells
15 oz ricotta cheese (whole milk or part skim)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
Brown Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through. Drain excess grease and let cool slightly.
In a large bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, garlic, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley. Stir in the cooled meat.
Cook jumbo pasta shells until just al dente. Drain and cool slightly.
Stuff each shell with 2 tbsp of the meat and cheese mixture.
Spread a thin layer of marinara in the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange stuffed shells in a single layer, adding more sauce between layers as needed.
Top with remaining marinara and a sprinkle of mozzarella.
Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours until heated through and cheese is melted.
Garnish with fresh basil and extra parmesan before serving.
Notes
Slightly undercook pasta so it doesn’t get mushy while slow cooking.
You can prepare the shells ahead of time, store them in the fridge, and cook the next day.
Add spinach or mushrooms to the ricotta mixture for extra veggies.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg