Stuffed Jumbo Shells So Delicious ;)

For New Years we made Stuffed Jumbo Shells. This is our favorite meals, besides Maniccotti. We decided to make jumbo shells instead of  Maniccotti, because it is so much easier to stuff.  So, If you love  Maniccotti., and you want more of them to turn out instead of being ripped, try the Jumbo Shells. ;)

Here is my recipe, but as You can see, I do NOT measure, I  cook  by taste and feeling if it is enough.  :)

We Cooked 1 box of Jumbo Shells and this made 2 14 x 9 Glass Bake Pans.

I filled my Big Roasting Pan with Water and brought it to a boil. Add salt as you would any other time and Oil to avoid sticking. Follow instructions on Box. You want the shells Almost Done but not quit. Once Done you can rinse and drain.

Brown 2 pounds of Hamburger, with one cut onion  and 2 cloves of fresh garlic. Add Salt and Pepper as it is frying.  

At the Same Time in a 6 Quart Sauce Pan:
2 Big Cans of Tomato Sauce
1 Big Can of Vegetable Juice
Add 3 Fresh Cloves of Garlic Sliced up
I add Sweet Basil and Parsley Approx 1 TB each . Sorry I don't measure I just shake and add to what looks right.
Fresh Ground Pepper and Salt
You can add a small amount of  Diced minced onions if you like for taste.
Once it starts to simmer, you can taste to see if you want to add anything else.
Once the Hamburger mixture is browned and onions sauteed nice , Add  the mixture to the Tomato Mixture. I use a grated spoon so that the oil drains off and does not go in with the hamburger and sauce. 

Simmer and Stir Occasionally.


Now that your Shells are done and cooled, and Meat mixture added to sauce, It is Time to  Pre heat Your Oven (Follow oven temperature listed on box of shells). 

Now Let's Mix the Cheese for Filling the Jumbo Shells
Mix in a huge bowl:
2 Big Containers of Cottage Cheese
1 or 2 Ricotta Cheese - we only used one last time and it still tasted good, so if you feel this cheese is strong tasting just add 1 container.
2 Cups of Romano Parmesan Grated Cheese
1 Bag of shredded mozzarella Cheese

Once Cheese Mixture is blended , You are ready to start to stuff the shells.

I always use glass 14 X 9  dishes to bake the shells.
So Cover the bottom of BOTH Glass Dishes with Tomato Sauce Mixture approximately 1/2 Full. So once You Add the Jumbo Shells the Sauce is Just to the top of the shells.

You Can Stuff the Shells pretty full  with the mixture you have,  If you have extra cheese mixture, You can always add it on top of shells before backing but if you put too much mixture in, it is fun to dig it out to fill more shells lol. ;)

If you bought more mozzarella cheese you can add some on top while backing if desired. My Husband wants it that way, I do not care one way or other.

Check the box , but I think it bakes around 45 minutes.

Enjoy ;)

This one is with mozzarella cheese sprinkled on top