This Holiday Stuffed Pasta is a delicious and impressive dish perfect for festive gatherings, offering a comforting and flavorful way to celebrate the season with a homemade touch. This comprehensive guide will walk you through creating a memorable Holiday Stuffed Pasta that will delight your family and friends. It’s a fantastic main course that combines rich flavors and a satisfying texture, making it an ideal choice for your holiday meal planning.
Key Ingredients for Holiday Stuffed Pasta
To create this delightful Holiday Stuffed Pasta, you’ll need the following ingredients, carefully measured and prepared:
- For the Pasta:
- 1 pound large pasta shells (jumbo shells or cannelloni work best)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- For the Holiday Stuffing:
- 1 pound ground mild Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 cup finely chopped fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup finely chopped roasted red bell pepper (from a jar, drained)
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated (optional, but highly recommended)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- For the Creamy Tomato Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 teaspoon sugar (to balance acidity)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- For Topping and Garnish:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
How to Make Holiday Stuffed Pasta
Get ready to create a truly spectacular Holiday Stuffed Pasta dish that’s surprisingly easy, incredibly delicious, and deeply satisfying. This recipe’s charm lies in its harmonious blend of savory sausage, tender pasta, and a rich, creamy tomato sauce. The vibrant colors and comforting aromas make it a perfect centerpiece for any holiday feast. With minimal fuss and a preparation time of just under 1 hour, you’ll have a heartwarming meal ready to impress.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to bring your Holiday Stuffed Pasta to life, step by step:
- Prepare the Pasta Shells: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta shells and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. It’s crucial not to overcook them, as they will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the pasta thoroughly and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Brown the Italian Sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s fully browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Prepare the Holiday Stuffing Mixture: Transfer the cooked sausage to a large mixing bowl. Add the finely chopped fresh spinach, roasted red bell pepper, 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese, beaten egg, minced garlic, dried Italian seasoning, and grated nutmeg (if using). Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix all the ingredients well until thoroughly combined. This is the heart of your Holiday Stuffed Pasta.
- Make the Creamy Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet (or a clean one) over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the finely diced yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, chopped fresh basil, sugar, and dried oregano. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for at least 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.
- Preheat Oven and Assemble: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour about half of the creamy tomato sauce into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Stuff the Pasta Shells: Carefully take each cooked pasta shell and fill it generously with the Holiday Stuffing mixture. You want them to be well-packed but not overflowing. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish over the sauce.
- Top and Bake: Pour the remaining creamy tomato sauce evenly over the stuffed pasta shells. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and the extra 1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake Until Golden: Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the Holiday Stuffed Pasta from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the dish to set, making it easier to serve. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, if desired, and serve hot.
Why You’ll Love This Holiday Stuffed Pasta
You’ll adore this Holiday Stuffed Pasta for its incredible festive appeal and heartwarming flavors, making it the perfect centerpiece for any holiday gathering. The standout feature is undoubtedly the rich and savory stuffing, packed with Italian sausage, tender spinach, roasted red bell peppers, and a blend of creamy cheeses, all harmonizing beautifully within tender pasta shells. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience that feels gourmet without the hefty price tag you’d find at a fancy Italian restaurant. Making it at home offers significant cost savings while delivering superior taste and freshness.
What truly elevates this dish are the vibrant, flavorful toppings: a generous layer of melted mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan, baked to golden perfection over a luscious, creamy tomato sauce. The depth of flavor in the sauce, balanced with a hint of sweetness and aromatic herbs, transforms simple pasta into an extraordinary feast. It’s a comforting yet elegant alternative to traditional lasagna, offering individual portions with less fuss. Don’t wait – gather your ingredients and impress your loved ones with this unforgettable Holiday Stuffed Pasta!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Proper storage and reheating are crucial for enjoying your Holiday Stuffed Pasta leftovers. To store, allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature (this usually takes about 30-45 minutes). Once cooled, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer individual portions to airtight containers. The Holiday Stuffed Pasta will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
For longer storage, this dish freezes beautifully. Once the Holiday Stuffed Pasta has cooled, you can freeze it in the original baking dish (if freezer-safe and well-covered) or divide it into individual portions in freezer-safe containers. Ensure all air is removed to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. To thaw, transfer from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight.
When reheating, for best results, cover the dish with foil to prevent drying out and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 25-30 minutes for a full dish or 15-20 minutes for individual portions. If reheating from frozen, increase baking time and make sure it thaws completely before verifying it’s heated through. You can also microwave individual portions until hot, but the oven method retains the best texture and prevents the pasta from becoming rubbery.
Final Thoughts
This Holiday Stuffed Pasta is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of comfort, flavor, and togetherness, perfect for your festive table. Its rich, savory stuffing nestled in tender pasta, all bathed in a creamy tomato sauce, promises a memorable culinary experience. We genuinely hope you’ll try recreating this delightful Holiday Stuffed Pasta at home and share the joy with your loved ones this season!
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Holiday Stuffed Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta shells and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. It’s crucial not to overcook them, as they will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the pasta thoroughly and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside to cool slightly.1 pound large pasta shells, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s fully browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.1 pound ground mild Italian sausage
- Transfer the cooked sausage to a large mixing bowl. Add the finely chopped fresh spinach, roasted red bell pepper, 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese, beaten egg, minced garlic, dried Italian seasoning, and grated nutmeg (if using). Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix all the ingredients well until thoroughly combined. This is the heart of your Holiday Stuffed Pasta.1 pound ground mild Italian sausage, 1 cup finely chopped fresh spinach, 1/2 cup finely chopped roasted red bell pepper, 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, 1 large egg, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- In the same skillet (or a clean one) over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the finely diced yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, chopped fresh basil, sugar, and dried oregano. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for at least 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 small yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup fresh basil, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour about half of the creamy tomato sauce into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Carefully take each cooked pasta shell and fill it generously with the Holiday Stuffing mixture. You want them to be well-packed but not overflowing. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish over the sauce.
- Pour the remaining creamy tomato sauce evenly over the stuffed pasta shells. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and the extra 1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top.1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden brown.
- Once baked, remove the Holiday Stuffed Pasta from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the dish to set, making it easier to serve. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, if desired, and serve hot.Fresh parsley, Fresh basil leaves