Italian Recipes - Shells with Italian Sausage and Mozzarella

Ingredients       

• 12 ounces bulk Italian sausage

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 28-ounce can tomatoes, un-drained, cut up to 3 tablespoons snipped fresh oregano or 2 teaspoons dried oregano, crushed

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 cup whipping cream

• 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed

• 10 ounces dried small shell macaroni

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Method:

1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven cook sausage, onion, and garlic until sausage is brown and onion is tender. Drain off fat.

2. Stir un-drained tomatoes, dried oregano (if using), tomato paste, bay leaves, sugar, salt, and pepper into sausage mixture in Dutch oven. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Stir in whipping cream. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, about 5 minutes more or until mixture is slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.

4. Discard bay leaves. Stir mozzarella cheese and fresh oregano (if using) into tomato mixture. Cook and stir until cheese starts to melt.

5. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain. Toss tomato mixture with pasta. Mixture will thicken as it stands.