Description
Creamy ricotta and spinach nestled in jumbo shells create a comforting Italian-inspired masterpiece that delights dinner guests. Melted cheese, herbal notes, and rich marinara sauce promise a memorable meal you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 box jumbo pasta shells
- 15 ounces (425 grams) ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 24–28 ounces (680–794 grams) spaghetti sauce
Cheese and Herbs:
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Seasonings and Binding:
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic, pressed
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare jumbo pasta shells by boiling them in salted water until just tender, approximately 8-9 minutes. Immediately drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking and prevent adhesion.
- Create a creamy filling by thoroughly blending ricotta, Parmesan, egg, and fresh herbs. Incorporate minced garlic, salt, and pepper until uniformly mixed.
- Generously coat the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish with spaghetti sauce, creating a protective layer for the pasta.
- Carefully stuff each shell with the prepared ricotta mixture, ensuring a consistent and moderate fill without overflowing.
- Arrange the filled shells strategically in the sauced baking dish, positioning them closely to maintain structural integrity.
- Drench the shells completely with remaining spaghetti sauce, guaranteeing comprehensive coverage.
- Distribute shredded mozzarella evenly across the top of the shells, creating a melted cheese blanket.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes, creating a sealed cooking environment.
- Uncover the dish and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes until cheese becomes golden and sauce bubbles vigorously.
- Allow the stuffed shells to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving, enabling the filling to stabilize and flavors to meld.
Notes
- Prevent shells from tearing by cooking them just shy of al dente, ensuring they remain sturdy for stuffing.
- Create a smoother filling by blending ricotta cheese until creamy, eliminating any lumps for a silky texture.
- Customize the recipe by swapping traditional cheeses with dairy-free alternatives for a vegan-friendly version.
- Add extra protein by mixing ground turkey or plant-based crumbles into the ricotta filling for a more substantial meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 415 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg