Food on Friday: Sausage, Ricotta, and Spinach Stuffed Pasta Shells

 Mmm...My friend Selena shared this recipe with me, and I made it (with help from my Folks) for my dear friend Elizabeth's belated Birthday dinner!
Sausage, Ricotta, and Spinach Stuffed Pasta Shells get the recipe over HERE at CravingSomeCreativity.   Keep reading for my changes/tweaks!



Changes/Tweaks:
~I had to use both a 9"x13" and a 8"x8" (but did not put any cheese on top of the little pan, because I ran out--we'll have to add it when we eat it).
~I added 1/2 a large sauteed onion to the sauce layer- so glad we did (cooked in burger drippings).
~I used 1 -24oz jar of Organic pasta sauce.
~The pasta we bought was a 12oz box, and it was plenty.  (I followed the cooking instructions on the box of Barilla pasta: Boil uncovered for 9 minutes- no testing needed.)
~We added 1/2 teaspoon Salt to the filling- so glad we did.
~We used HEB's mild Italian sausage, and added 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes- another time I'd put the flakes in the sauce, or use spicy sausage.  (We found that it is hard to find flavored sausage that does not contain MSG...)
~Another time I think that I'd half again or double the Spinach.
~The filling needs more Garlic & Salt- it just disappears. We'd also add Black Pepper & dry Parsley next time.
~I think that a little more Mozzarella, and a little less Ricotta would have been good.

What a crazy dish to make- I burnt my fingers and was very stressed, but it was worth it!!!

It was good~ we all had seconds, and cleaned our plates... =)