Stuffed Pasta Shells

 Yes...this is a NEW POSTING!!!!  WHAT?!!!  And I don't even have all the steps in pictures, LOL!

Stuffed Pasta Shells is your basic lasagne recipe but just a little bit more fancy.

For the sauce - make your basic marinara with or without Italian sausage.  I have to feed Paul...so there is always meat :)

The shells you of course boil first to al dente.  Drain and stuff with a mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan and chopped Italian parsley...all fresh of course.  Nicely line them all up in your prettiest 9x13 pan that has a layer of white sauce.

Slather on top of the shells your marinara sauce, then layer the remaining white sauce and mozzarella cheese.  Bake 350º until golden brown and bubbly.  Serve with freshly baked french bread and a wedge salad...I'm so into wedge salads right now.  Enjoy!

Recipes:

Italian Sausage Marinara Sauce (this is just guesstimating - I just go with the flavor I want at the time)

• 1/2 pound Italian sausage
• 1/2 Sweet Onion (chopped)
• 1 tsp each - Oregano (dried), Basil (dried),  Rosemary (dried)
• OR 1 Tbs each - Oregano (fresh), Basil (fresh), Rosemary (fresh)
• 1/4 cup Italian Parsley (fresh - chopped)
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 clove garlic (minced) optional
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 1-14.5 oz can diced Italian tomatoes
• 1-8 oz can tomato sauce
• Salt and Pepper to taste

1 - Brown meat with onion. 2 - Add all herbs and spices.  3- Add tomatoes and tomato sauce.  4 - Cover and simmer on very low flame for at least 15 minutes or longer.

White Sauce

• 3 Tbs Butter
• 3 Tbs Flour
• 3 cups milk
• 1 tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
• 1/4 cup Italian Parsley
• Salt and Pepper to taste

1 - Melt butter and add flour (if using fresh garlic - put it in here), stirring constantly until fully mixed and slightly golden brown. 2 - Slowly whisk in milk until thickened.  This is where you will adjust the milk content until it's as thin or thick as you want it to be. 3 - Whisk in rest of ingredients.  Bring to slight boil for at least one minute, stirring CONSTANTLY!

Shells and Cheese Stuffing for Shells - just use the recipe on the box.