Description
Get ready to dig into a cozy, cheesy pasta bake that feels perfect for an easy dinner and impressive enough for family gatherings. Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells is a classic comfort food recipe made with jumbo pasta shells, creamy ricotta, tender spinach, rich marinara, and melted mozzarella, making it one of those easy recipe favorites that fits dinner ideas, food ideas, and simple homemade meals any night of the week.
Ingredients
12 oz jumbo pasta shells
15 oz ricotta cheese
10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
3 cups marinara sauce
2 tbsp 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 al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, spinach, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
4. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
5. Fill each cooked shell with the spinach and ricotta mixture using a spoon or small scoop.
6. Arrange the filled shells in the baking dish in a single layer.
7. Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the shells.
8. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan over the top.
9. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
10. Remove the foil and bake for 10 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Let the shells rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Use fully drained spinach so the filling stays thick and creamy.
Cook a few extra shells in case some tear while boiling or filling.
Let the dish rest before serving so the cheese filling sets nicely inside the shells.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 80mg