Creamy Shells with Sausage and Chestnuts

Name: Creamy Shells with Sausage and Chestnuts
Prep time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 4 - 6 serving(s)
Ingredients: 2 c. heavy cream; 3/4 c. dry white wine, such as sauvignon blanc; 4 cloves garlic, smashed; 2 oz. Parmesan, grated (about 1/2 cup); 6 oz. sharp white Cheddar, grated (about 1 1/2 cups), divided; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; Cooking spray; 1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, casings removed; 1 (5.2-ounce) package whole peeled and roasted chestnuts, coarsely chopped; 1 (10-ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry; 16 jumbo shells, cooked according to package directions

Make this weeknight dish whenever you're craving cozy comfort food.

By Christopher MichelPublished: Nov 18, 2024

1 Rating

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a plate filled with baked stuffed pasta shells, showcasing a mixture of ingredients inside, such as vegetables and cheese, topped with a glaze

Becky Luigart-Stayner for Country Living

Yields:

4 - 6 serving(s)

Prep Time:

40 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 10 mins

What is it about stuffed shells? They're just such a fun shape, like mini tacos, but with the added yum of pasta!

Though we've made them in both classic and innovative ways over the years, this cold-weather comfort-food version may be my very favorite. There's plenty of cheese, plus some spinach and sausage in there, but it's the chestnuts (buy 'em pre-cooked, in bags!) that give this the kind of flavor that makes you just want to snuggle down under a comforter afterward, and hibernate.

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Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup dry white wine, such as sauvignon blanc
4 cloves garlic, smashed
2 oz. Parmesan, grated (about 1/2 cup)
6 oz. sharp white Cheddar, grated (about 1 1/2 cups), divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Cooking spray
1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 (5.2-ounce) package whole peeled and roasted chestnuts, coarsely chopped
1 (10-ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
16 jumbo shells, cooked according to package directions

Directions

1. Step 1Combine cream, wine, and garlic in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until sauce is fragrant and reduced slightly, 20 to 25 minutes; discard garlic. Remove from heat and slowly stir in Parmesan and 1 cup Cheddar until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Step 2Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Cook sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon and stirring occasionally, until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in chestnuts and cook until warm, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in spinach.
3. Step 3Spread 1/2 cup sauce on bottom of prepared baking dish. Stuff cooked shells with sausage mixture, dividing evenly, and arrange in baking dish. Pour remaining sauce into and over shells. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake until warmed through, 30 to 35 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar. Bake, uncovered, until cheese is golden brown, 7 to 10 minutes.