Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with these Ricotta Stuffed Shells, a hearty and flavor-packed Italian-inspired dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or dinner parties. Tender jumbo pasta shells are generously filled with a creamy ricotta mixture, blended with spinach, fragrant garlic, and a trio of cheeses for an irresistible balance of richness and texture. Smothered in velvety marinara sauce and topped with melty mozzarella, this recipe bakes to bubbly perfection in just 40 minutes. Garnished with fresh basil, these stuffed shells are a true crowd-pleaser, offering sophisticated flavors with minimal effort. With simple ingredients and easy instructions, this dish is ideal for make-ahead dinners or sharing with family and friends. Keywords: ricotta stuffed shells, Italian comfort food, baked pasta recipe, family dinners, spinach and cheese pasta.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 20 pieces Jumbo pasta shells
• 2 cups Ricotta cheese
• 1.5 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cups Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup Frozen spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 large Egg
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 3 cups Marinara sauce
• 2 tablespoons Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.

Step 3

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, thawed spinach, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well incorporated.

Step 4

Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 5

Using a spoon or small spatula, carefully stuff each cooked pasta shell with about 2 tablespoons of the ricotta mixture. Place the filled shells open side up in the baking dish.

Step 6

Once all the shells are filled and arranged in the baking dish, pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the top.

Step 7

Sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cup of shredded mozzarella across the top of the shells.

Step 8

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Step 9

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1828.3 grams (1828.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1967

Total Fat 121.10g	155%
Saturated Fat 66.10g	331%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.00g
Cholesterol 682mg	227%
Sodium 4686mg	204%
Total Carbohydrate 101.70g	37%
Dietary Fiber 13.90g	50%
Total Sugars 18.20g
Protein 139.10g	278%

Vitamin D 54IU	269%
Calcium 4019mg	309%
Iron 9mg	52%
Potassium 1777mg	38%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.1%

Protein: 27.1%

Carbs: 19.8%