Chorizo Stuffed Pasta Shells

Chorizo Stuffed Pasta Shells



Ingredients



1 box large pasta shells

1 32 ounce jar pasta sauce

1 lb ground chorizo

1 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened

4 cups mozzarella cheese (grated)

2 cups parmigiano reggiano

1 cup italian bread crumbs



Directions



Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook pasta per directions on the package. Drain & set aside.

Cook chorizo in skillet until cook through.  Drain & set aside.

In a bowl, combine cream cheese, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, 1 cup parm reg, & 1/2 cup bread crumbs

Add the chorizo to the cream cheese mixture

Pour some pasta sauce on the bottom of a 9X13 baking dish - just enough to cover the bottom

Spoon chorizo & cream cheese filling into cooked pasta shells, then place seam down in the baking dish

Cover with the remaining pasta sauce

Top with remaining bread crumbs,  mozzarella and parm reg cheeses.

Bake until cheese is bubbly, about 25-30 minutes.



Note: This is a very versatile dish.  My family doesn't care for ricotta, so I replaced it with cream cheese.  Italian sausage, ground beef or ground turkey can be replaced for the chorizo.

Also, for a vegetarian version, you can replace the meat with more cheese, some fresh basil, and more breadcrumbs.



This dish also freezes very well.