I’ve been on an Asiago cheese kick lately… it’s such a refreshing alternative to Mozzarella, Provolone, or Parmesan. Those subtle hints of smoked flavor as well as a bit of sharpness and bite to the cheese makes it lovely to add as a garnish or to deepen or enhance flavors, which is how I used it in this particular recipe. It was love at first taste with me and Asiago… I’m sure you will have a similar encounter!

Meat Stuffed Shells
Makes approximately 18 stuffed shells

3/4 – 1 lb. lean ground beef
3 links of Italian sweet sausage, removed from the casing (may use hot sausage as well… i just accidentally pulled out the sweet from the freezer, but either works!)
2 large cloves of garlic
salt and black pepper
olive oil
Red pepper flakes
Fresh basil leaves (8- 10 leaves)
Dried oregano
1 small onion or shallot, chopped finely
1 c. Asiago cheese, grated
1/2 c. Romano cheese, grated
1 package of Jumbo shell noodles
1 jar of Dellalo brand Pink Vodka Sauce (feel free to use any regular spaghetti sauce for this, I just wanted to spice up the dish a bit, so I used something a little less traditional)

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