Description
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells are the kind of easy dinner that feels extra cozy the second it comes out of the oven. Tender jumbo pasta shells are filled with a creamy ricotta and spinach mixture, tucked into rich marinara sauce, and baked under a blanket of melted mozzarella until bubbly and golden. This easy recipe is perfect for comfort food cravings, family dinner nights, meal prep, and anyone looking for simple dinner ideas, pasta recipes, baked pasta, or satisfying food ideas that taste homemade without being complicated.
Ingredients
20 jumbo pasta shells
15 ounces ricotta cheese
10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
24 ounces marinara sauce
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the jumbo shells until just al dente. Drain and set aside on a tray so they do not stick together.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, thawed spinach, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until fully combined.
4. Spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
5. Fill each cooked shell with the ricotta and spinach mixture and arrange them open-side up in the dish.
6. Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the shells.
7. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella over the top.
8. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
9. Remove the foil and bake for 10 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
10. Let the shells rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with chopped parsley and serve.
Notes
Be sure to squeeze as much moisture as possible from the spinach before mixing the filling, or the stuffed shells can turn watery instead of rich and creamy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg