Stuffed Pasta Shells
Indulge in the comforting delight of stuffed pasta shells filled with a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and spinach. Baked to perfection and smothered in marinara sauce, these shells are a crowd-pleaser for any occasion—whether it’s a cozy weeknight dinner or a festive family gathering. Experience layers of flavor and heartwarming memories with every bite.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 large pasta shells
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
Instructions
- Cook the large pasta shells in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, chopped spinach, garlic powder, and dried herbs until well blended.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and spread a layer of marinara sauce at the bottom of a baking dish.
- Stuff each cooled pasta shell generously with the filling and place seam-side down in the dish.
- Pour remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells and sprinkle additional mozzarella on top.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes; then remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 stuffed shells (150g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 45mg