Creamy Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells 🍁🐚
Something different I made for a fall night. This is a really creamy and rich dish but filled with simple ingredients. It is a little time consuming and requires some steps but definitely worth it in the end.
Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells with Turkey Sausage & Sage Recipe
Ingredients
1 frozen bag organic butternut squash
1/2 a box of shells, cooked al dente
1/2 package of prosciutto
1 lb Turkey sausage
1 Vidalia onion, chopped
8 cloves of garlic, chopped
3 tbsp ricotta
3 slices of fresh mozzarella, sliced/log style (Costco brand) use more for topping
8 sage leaves, finely chopped
Celtic sea salt & cracked pepper
Grated Parmesan, measure with your ❤️
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 Sage stem, use leaves for topping
3 tbsp unbleached flour
Many drizzles of Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions 🍂
Turkey sausage
•Begin by frying onion and garlic in olive oil until translucent. Add turkey sausage and cook until browned. Make sure to sprinkle sea salt and cracked pepper. Set to the side.
Butternut squash sauce
•In a bowl, toss butternut squash in olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Roast butternut squash on a sheet pan for 20 minutes until tender at 400 degrees in the oven. Once cooled off, put in blender or use immersion blender to puree butternut squash.
•In a separate pot, melt the butter, add heavy whipping cream, parmesan, and stir. Then add flour to thicken sauce. Add butternut squash purée then mix. Add a tiny bit of nutmeg if you’re up for some more flavor.
Ricotta mix
•Add chopped sage, ricotta, mozzarella, sea salt, and cracked pepper. Mix until all is combined.
Shells
•In a separate pot, boil the shells until al dente. Put a tbsp of butternut squash sauce on the bottom of your dish. Start stuffing the shells with sausage and ricotta mix. Once finished with assembling the stuffed shells, pour the rest of the butternut squash sauce over the shells. Top with mozzarella, parmesan, and sage leaves. Don’t forget to put little prosciutto on top.
•Bake for 30 minutes at 400 degrees. Then an additional 10 minutes uncovered for cheese to melt and golden a bit. Let cool and dig in.
Enjoy 🎃
Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells are an excellent way to celebrate the flavors of fall, combining the sweetness of butternut squash with savory turkey sausage and fresh sage. This dish not only highlights seasonal ingredients, but also delivers a comforting meal that the whole family will love. Using ingredients like ricotta and fresh mozzarella adds creaminess, while roasting the squash enhances its natural sweetness. The dish can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. When preparing the stuffed shells, consider variations like adding vegetables or different cheeses to customize flavors according to your preference. Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, making this a convenient option for busy nights. Roasting the squash beforehand brings out its rich flavor, and blending it with cream creates a sauce that's both decadent and satisfying. To enhance the experience, serve the stuffed shells alongside a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables. This combination not only balances the richness of the dish but also adds a fresh component to the meal. Savor the warm, comforting flavors of this autumn-inspired recipe, perfect for cozy evenings at home!
This is making my mouth water! It looks so good!