Description
Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Marinara is an Italian-inspired dish that features large pasta shells filled with a delicious mixture of ricotta cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and spinach, all baked in marinara sauce. The stuffed shells are topped with melted cheese, creating a deliciously comforting meal. This dish is not only full of flavor but also very versatile. You can make it ahead of time, and it’s perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying leftovers the next day.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Stuffed Shells:
- 1 box (12 oz) jumbo pasta shells (about 20–24 shells)
- 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups fresh spinach, finely chopped (or 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Marinara Sauce:
- 3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional, for sautéing garlic or onions if making your own sauce)
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta Shells:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Do not overcook, as they will continue to cook in the oven.
- Drain and rinse the shells under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Ricotta Filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, chopped spinach, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Mix until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
3. Assemble the Dish:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spoon the ricotta filling into each pasta shell (about 1 to 2 tablespoons per shell) and place the stuffed shells into the baking dish, open side up.
- Once all shells are filled and arranged, pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top of the shells.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
4. Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Serve:
- Remove the stuffed shells from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Pair these cheesy stuffed shells with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a comforting Italian-inspired dinner. For a richer flavor, sprinkle some extra parmesan or fresh basil on top before serving!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Marinara