How to Make Spicy Stuffed Shells

If you like spicy food, then you will love this recipe.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 20 large pasta shells
• 1 pound hamburger
• ½ pound Ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 4 cups spaghetti sauce
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 small green pepper, finely diced
• ½ c. finely diced mushrooms
• ½ c. Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• Enough sharp cheddar slices to cover the casserole
• 1 tsp. Cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. White pepper
• 1 tsp. Black pepper
• 20 drops Louisiana hot sauce
• 1 tsp. Garlic powder
• 1 tsp. Onion powder
• ½ tsp. Salt

1. Parboil the shells (about 5 minutes). Strain immediately and run cold water over them to cool them.
2. Fry the hamburger. Make sure it crumbles with a fork. Season with the cayenne, white and black peppers, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
3. Add the diced onion and green pepper. Cook until hamburger is done and vegetables are translucent.
4. Add the mushrooms. Cook for three more minutes. Remove the mixture and using a colander, drain the mixture. Put the mixture in a large bowl and let cool.
5. Mix the ricotta and the egg. Beat thoroughly.
6. Add the breadcrumbs and cheese and egg mixture to the cooled hamburger mixture. Using your hands, mix well.
7. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a casserole dish or cake pan.Ladle enough spaghetti sauce in the pan -- just enough to cover the bottom. Line up the shells.
8. Put a scoop of the meat mixture in each shell. Pour the rest of the spaghetti sauce over the top of all the shells, making sure to cover the shells. Use more than four cups if needed or if desired.Layer the sliced sharp cheddar cheese over the top of everything. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Tips & Warnings

• If you would like, you can add ½ teaspoon of all of the seasonings and 10 drops Louisiana hot sauce to the spaghetti sauce prior to using it.