Pizza and pasta is a winning combination the whole family loves. These freezer stuffed shells are filled with delicious pizza flavor and are a great make-ahead meal.
You will love this
- A family favorite dish - Pizza and pasta are tried and true favorites. Combining them into one dish is even better. Fill these shells with your favorite pizza flavors like sausage, pepperoni, and cheese.
- Make-ahead - This casserole dish is a great make-ahead option. Pull it together when you have a little extra time and bake when you need to get dinner on the table quickly.
- Freezer stuffed shells - These shells can be prepared and frozen until ready to bake at a later time. I like to make a double batch - use one for now and freeze one for later.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Sausage - Italian sausage - sweet or hot - is my preference. You can choose pork, turkey, or chicken varieties. I often use turkey or chicken sausage to help keep this dish lighter.
- Pepperoni - I love using turkey pepperoni because it's less greasy than traditional varieties. Use your favorite thin-sliced pepperoni.
- Green pepper - Adds fresh flavor, color, and texture. Omit the pepper and add onions or olives, or use a combination of all three.
- Sauce - Pizza sauce is my go-to in this recipe. You can also use your favorite marinara or pasta sauce.
FAQ's
Pizza stuffed shells are an excellent make-ahead dish. Make the filling mixture and cook the shells. Next, fill the shells and arrange in a baking dish. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake, up to 3 days ahead.
Prepare the shells and place in a disposable aluminum pan (or freezer-safe and oven-safe dish). Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Be sure to label including the date prepared.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bake covered at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake another 5-10 minutes. If the shells are still partially frozen when baking, allow an extra 10-15 minutes of bake time.
Instructions
- Cook the shells: Add 1-2 teaspoons of salt to a large pot of boiling water. Cook the pasta according to package directions, reducing the time by 1-2 minutes. The pasta will cook again when the shells are baked.
- In a large skillet, cook the sausage until brown, breaking it apart as it cooks. If using sausage links, remove the casings before cooking. Drain the excess grease. (1)
- Add the green pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes. (2)
- Add the pepperoni (3) and 1 ⅓ cups pizza sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl to cool. Stir in the cubed mozzarella cheese, reserving some for topping. (4)
- Spread the remaining ⅔ cup sauce in the bottom of a casserole dish.
- Fill the pasta shells with the filling and place seam-side up in the dish.
- Top with the reserved cheese.
- Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 5-10 minutes until bubbly around the edges.
- Serve with salad and garlic bread.
Equipment
Pasta pot | Colander | Skillet | Measuring cups | Mixing bowl | 9x13 casserole dish
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Easy Pizza Freezer Stuffed Shells
Ingredients
- 20 jumbo pasta shells approx. 6 ounces
- 16 ounces Italian sausage hot or sweet, pork, turkey, or chicken
- ½ cup diced green bell pepper (Note 1)
- 3 ounces turkey pepperoni thinly sliced and quartered
- 2 cups pizza sauce or marinara or pasta sauce
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese diced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1-2 teaspoons of salt. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions, reducing cook time by 1-2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Filling
- To a large skillet set over medium heat, add the sausage. If using sausage links, remove the casings. Cook until sausage is brown, crumbling the sausage as it cooks. Drain the excess fat.
- Add the green pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the pepperoni and 1 ⅓ cups of the sauce and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl to cool for 5-10 minutes. Stir in the diced mozzarella, reserving some for the top.
- Spread the remaining sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
- Fill the pasta shells with the mixture and place in the baking dish seam side up. Top with the reserved cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake another 5-10 minutes or until bubbly around the edges.
Notes
- Omit the pepper and add onions or olives, or use a combination of all three.
- Pizza stuffed shells are an excellent make-ahead dish. Make the filling mixture and cook the shells. Next, fill the shells and arrange in a baking dish. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake, up to 3 days ahead.
- To freeze stuffed shells: prepare the shells and place in a disposable aluminum pan (or freezer-safe and oven-safe dish). Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Be sure to label including the date prepared.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bake covered at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake another 5-10 minutes. If the shells are still partially frozen when baking, allow an extra 10-15 minutes of bake time.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending upon the exact amounts and specific ingredients used.
Author's note: This post was originally published in August 2018 and has been updated.
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