Slow Cooker Stuffed Shells with Meat
Slow Cooker Stuffed Shells with Meat - loaded with creamy ricotta, parmesan cheese and melty mozzarella, add sausage or ground beef to make it a hearty meal.
Servings 8
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian Sausage or Ground Beef cooked
- 15 oz ricotta
- 2 cups shredded mozarella cheese divided
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt divided
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 12 oz jumbo pasta shells
- 24oz jar marinara sauce Rao's reccomended
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon italian seasoning
- fresh basil topping
Instructions
- Start by browning italian sausage. If using ground beef, season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup of mozarella, permesan, egg, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and chopped parsley. Transfer mixture to gallon size baggie and snip corner to fill shells.
- Spray slow cooker insert with non stick cooking spray. Use gallon baggie to fill uncooked pasta shells with ricotta mixture, transferring them to slow cooker as you fill. Layer slow cooker with 1/2 cup marinara sauce, half of the stuffed shells, two-thirds of meat, half of remaining sauce, remaining stuffed shells, then top with remaining meat and sauce.
- Add water to slow cooker and sprinkle with italian seasoning and remaining salt and pepper. Cook for 3-4 hours on high, or 5-6 on low. Vooking times will vary depending on the slow cooker. When shells are tender and heated through, top with remaining mozarella cheese and cover with lid until cheese melts. Add fresh parsley and basil.