Slow Cooker Stuffed Shells with Sausage and Spinach

stuffed shell being lifted from a slow cooker.

4.75 from 8 votes

Slow Cooker Stuffed Shells with Sausage and Spinach

Slow Cooker Stuffed Shells with Sausage and Spinach is an easy crockpot meal. Jumbo shells filled with a cheesy spinach mixture and then topped with a browned sausage (or ground beef!) sauce is an easy, comforting family favorite.

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 20

Servings servings

Author Melissa Williams

Equipment

Slow Cooker

Ingredients

12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
3 cups ricotta cheese
1 ½ cups frozen spinach cooked and drained
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
1 large egg
salt & pepper to taste
1 pound ground sausage browned and drained
24 ounces marinara divided
Parmesan cheese and parsley for topping

Instructions

In a large pot of salted boiling water, boil the pasta until just soft. The noodles need to be undercooked as they will continue to cook in the slow cooker. Drain and set aside.
12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, spinach, 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese and egg. Stir to combine well and season with salt & pepper, to taste.
3 cups ricotta cheese, 1 ½ cups frozen spinach, 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 large egg, salt & pepper
Spoon the ricotta mixture evenly into the parboiled shells.
Spread a bit of sauce into the bottom of the 6 quart slow cooker.
24 ounces marinara
Place the stuffed shells into the slow cooker. You can stack them to fit.
Pour the browned, drained sausage all over the shells.
1 pound ground sausage
Next, pour the remaining sauce all over the top, covering each shell.
Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours until bubbly.
In the last 30 minutes or so of cooking, add the remaining shredded cheese to the top of the shells, replace lid, and let melt.
Top with parmesan and parsley and serve!
Parmesan cheese and parsley for topping

Notes

Store leftovers in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days.
Don’t like sausage? Use ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken.
Want a meatless option? These stuffed shells are just as good when prepared vegetarian.
Don’t have ricotta cheese? Cottage cheese can be used in its place.
Use your favorite sauce – one full of garlic or veggies works well.
Want to spice it up? Use a spicy sausage or add red pepper flakes to the sauce.

Every slow cooker runs differently. Times given are a general recommendation and should be tested in your own slow cooker and adjusted as needed.

Nutrition