The following “Chew This!” column originally appeared in “The Courier-Times” and / or “The Shelbyville News”. Check their websites for further information and dates.

Stuffed Shells, Alfredo Style

Blaise Doubman

I love Italian food and recently, for the first time in years, had stuffed shells at a Birthday party. They were delicious! A friend of mine suggested the same thing but with Alfredo sauce and so I thought I would try it and wow, I am so glad I did! This is so delicious. You can add fennel seed to the mix if you want but it is not necessary. Fennel seed just makes the sausage taste more like sausage. You can experiment with the seasonings here and use your favorites.

I usually always make my own Alfredo sauce but for this, I did not. That does not mean you should not though! If you want to do it, do it! My favorite Alfredo sauce is Nigella Lawson’s recipe. So if you are looking for a good one, Google hers and use it. The recipe I am sharing here today can also be morphed into something more traditional by using red sauce instead. This recipe can also though, be blown out of the ballpark by adding shredded chicken and broccoli for a whole new take on the traditional dish all together. Make this and eat and enjoy!

Alfredo Stuffed Shells

1 box large pasta shells

1 pound ground beef

½ pound ground sausage

4 cups cottage cheese

2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning 

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon Oregano

2 jars Alfredo sauce

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray a large baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Boil the large pasta shells in a large pot of boiling, salted water.

Remove, drain and allow to cool.

Combine the ground beef and ground sausage in a large skillet over medium high heat and thoroughly brown. Once browned, drain the grease. Place meat into a large bowl to cool.

Once cooled slightly, add in the cottage cheese, shredded Mozzarella cheese, shredded Parmesan cheese, large eggs, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and Oregano. Stir together until everything is combined.

Carefully stuff the cooked shells and place into prepared baking dish.

Cover with Alfredo sauce and bake, in preheated oven, for 45 minutes.

Ask and Answer: I have been getting questions on fudge and if I have recipes for fudge. Yes! I have so many recipes for different kinds and flavors of fudge, I have lost count. Visit my website and type “fudge” into the search bar. It will bring up any and all types of your favorite fudge!