Description
This delicious stuffed pasta recipe features jumbo shells filled with a creamy mixture of ricotta, spinach, and cheeses, baked in a rich marinara sauce. Perfect for a comforting Italian main course that’s both hearty and vegetarian-friendly.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Sauce
- 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Stuffing Mix
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool, ensuring they are easy to handle for stuffing.
- Sauté Spinach and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add chopped spinach and cook until wilted, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, egg, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir in the cooked spinach mixture until everything is well combined.
- Assemble: Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a baking dish. Carefully stuff each cooked shell with the ricotta and spinach filling, then arrange the stuffed shells in the dish.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with fresh basil if desired. Serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Frozen spinach can be used as a substitute; be sure to thaw and squeeze out excess moisture before cooking.
- For a heartier dish, add cooked ground beef or sausage to the filling mixture.
- Use gluten-free pasta shells to accommodate gluten-free diets.
