Description
Comforting butternut squash & turkey sausage stuffed shells marry hearty Italian flavors with seasonal ingredients. Creamy cheese, savory sausage, and sweet roasted squash create a satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground turkey sausage
- 1 butternut squash, peeled and diced
- 1 box jumbo pasta shells
Cheese:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh sage
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F, preparing a welcoming environment for the stuffed shells.
- Sauté ground turkey sausage in a skillet until it develops a rich, golden-brown color and releases its savory aroma.
- Using the same skillet, drizzle olive oil and gently cook butternut squash until it becomes tender and caramelized.
- Boil jumbo pasta shells in a large pot according to package directions, ensuring they are al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Create a harmonious filling by combining the cooked turkey sausage, roasted butternut squash, creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, sharp Parmesan, fragrant sage, and a perfect balance of salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
- Carefully fill each pasta shell with the robust mixture, nestling them snugly in a baking dish.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the top turns golden and the edges become delightfully bubbly.
- Serve immediately, allowing the aromatic shells to be the centerpiece of a warm, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Customize the heat by selecting mild or spicy turkey sausage based on personal preference.
- Swap ricotta with cottage cheese for a lighter, protein-packed alternative that maintains creamy texture.
- Pre-roast butternut squash beforehand to enhance natural sweetness and develop deeper caramelized flavors.
- Consider freezing assembled stuffed shells before baking for convenient make-ahead meal prep that saves time during busy weeks.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg