Description
Stuffed Shells is a comforting and crowd-pleasing baked pasta dish featuring tender jumbo shells filled with a creamy mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and sautéed spinach, all baked in a rich marinara sauce. Easy to prepare and customizable, it delivers cheesy goodness and rich flavors perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz jumbo pasta shells
Cheese Filling
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach, sautéed and drained
- 1 large egg, beaten
Sauce and Flavorings
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing and drizzling)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta shells: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the jumbo shells until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking.
- Prepare the filling: In a bowl, combine ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, sautéed spinach, minced garlic, beaten egg, chopped basil, and parsley. Mix until just combined, ensuring even incorporation without overworking.
- Stuff the shells: Using a spoon or piping bag, generously fill each pasta shell with the cheese and spinach mixture. Fill them fully so they are plump but not bursting.
- Assemble in the baking dish: Spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells evenly, cover with remaining marinara sauce, and sprinkle extra mozzarella on top.
- Bake until bubbly: Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 25 minutes. Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes to allow the cheese to brown slightly and get bubbly.
Notes
- Don’t overcook pasta: Al dente shells hold their shape better and won’t fall apart when stuffed.
- Drain excess moisture from spinach to avoid watery filling.
- Use fresh herbs for brightness and depth in the filling.
- Layer sauce generously to keep shells moist and flavorful.
- Cover while baking to prevent the cheese from drying out before melting perfectly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg