These creamy, cheesy Pumpkin Alfredo Stuffed Shells are super easy and a surprising crowd-pleaser! Jumbo pasta shells, stuffed with sausage, onions, and ricotta cheeses, are covered in a smooth pumpkin alfredo sauce that gives this dinner an extra special flavor.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword alfredo stuffed shells
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 35 minutesminutes
Total Time 55 minutesminutes
Servings 6
Calories 633kcal
Author Erica
Ingredients
20jumbo shell pasta
4tablespoonsunsalted butterdivided
2tablespoonsfresh sage leaves(about 6 large leaves)
1poundItalian sausagecrumbled
½yellow oniondiced
2cloves garlicminced
15ouncesricotta cheese
1cuppumpkin puree
1 ½cupshalf-and-half
¾cupParmesan cheesedivided
⅛teaspoonnutmeg
1 ½cupsmozzarella cheeseshredded
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the jumbo shells and boil for 9-10 minutes until slightly al dente. Drain the shells and rinse under cold water, then set aside.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the sage in the skillet and fry for 30-45 seconds on each side. Transfer fried sage to a paper towel to drain.
Add the sausage, onion, and garlic to the skillet and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Butter or spray a casserole dish and set aside.
Melt remaining butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When butter is melted, stir in pumpkin puree, half-and-half, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and nutmeg. Stir continuously until cheese is melted and sauce is combined and smooth, 3-4 minutes. Continue to simmer until sauce thickens slightly, another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a few tablespoons of pasta water if needed to thin out the sauce if it thickens too much. Remove from heat.
Spread 1/2 cup of the pumpkin alfredo sauce on the bottom of the casserole dish.
In large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and cooked sausage mixture. Crumble half of the fried sage into the mixture and stir well. Fill each pasta shell with heaping spoonfuls of the mixture, then set them open side up on top of the sauce in the casserole dish.
Pour remaining sauce evenly over the shells. Sprinkle the mozzarella and remaining Parmesan over the shells.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and shells are warmed through. Remove from the oven and remove the foil. Turn the broiler on and broil on high for 2-3 minutes, until cheese begins to bubble and brown.