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Stuffed Shells Recipe

Stuffed Shells Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 30 reviews

Cheesy, creamy, and oh-so-satisfying, these Stuffed Shells are a comforting Italian classic that make a perfect family dinner. Jumbo pasta shells are filled with a flavorful mixture of ricotta, spinach, and cheeses, then baked to perfection in marinara sauce. A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to this delicious dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Jumbo Pasta Shells:

  • 18–20 jumbo pasta shells

Spinach Mixture:

  • 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups spinach

Cheese Filling:

  • 15 oz. Ricotta
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided
  • 2 Tablespoons cream cheese
  • 1 egg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • ½ tsp dried basil
  • ½ tsp dried parsley
  • ½ tsp dried oregano

Other:

  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • Fresh parsley, to garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Boil Pasta Shells: Boil shells in salted water for 1 minute less than al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
  3. Prepare Spinach Mixture: Heat olive oil in a skillet, sauté garlic, add spinach, and cook until wilted. Let cool.
  4. Make Cheese Filling: Combine ricotta, Parmesan, half of the mozzarella, cream cheese, egg, and seasonings. Fold in the cooled spinach mixture.
  5. Assemble: Spread half of the marinara sauce in a baking dish. Fill each shell with cheese mixture and arrange in the dish. Top with remaining sauce and cheeses.
  6. Bake: Cover and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Garnish with parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Consider adding cooked ground beef or Italian sausage to the cheese mixture for a meaty variation.
  • These stuffed shells can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.
  • For a vegetarian option, use vegetable marinara sauce or a mix of roasted vegetables in the filling.

Nutrition

Keywords: Stuffed Shells, Pasta, Italian, Cheese, Vegetarian, Dinner

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/stuffed-shells-recipe/