Description

Ricotta stuffed shells with spinach offer a creamy and savory filling wrapped in large pasta shells and smothered in marinara sauce. A perfect comfort food for family dinners or gatherings, this dish blends the richness of ricotta cheese and spinach with tangy marinara, making it a delightful and easy-to-make meal.

Ingredients

Jumbo pasta shells

Ricotta cheese

Fresh spinach (or frozen spinach, thawed and drained)

Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Parmesan cheese, grated

Garlic, minced

Egg

Salt and pepper to taste

Marinara sauce

Fresh basil (optional for garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare the Spinach: If using fresh spinach, cook it in a pan with a little olive oil until wilted, about 3-4 minutes. If using frozen spinach, thaw it and drain any excess water. Chop the spinach finely.
Make the Filling: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, half of the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
Cook the Pasta: Boil the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
Stuff the Shells: Spoon the ricotta-spinach mixture into each pasta shell. Place the stuffed shells in a baking dish, making sure they are arranged in a single layer.
Top with Sauce: Pour marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring each shell is well-covered. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Serve: Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Notes

You can make these stuffed shells ahead of time by preparing them up to the point of baking. Just refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking.
To make the dish gluten-free, substitute the pasta shells with gluten-free alternatives.
For a vegan version, substitute the ricotta with a plant-based cheese alternative and use vegan mozzarella and Parmesan.
Add extra herbs like oregano or thyme to the ricotta mixture for added flavor.

Prep Time: 10min
Cook Time: 30min
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian