Description
This Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells Recipe is a delicious and comforting dish that combines jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and spinach, baked in marinara sauce until bubbly and golden brown.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12–15 jumbo pasta shells (about 1/2 a box)
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped) or 1 cup frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, spinach, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Stuff Shells: Fill each cooked pasta shell with the ricotta mixture and place in a baking dish.
- Bake: Pour marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, sprinkle with remaining mozzarella, and bake in a preheated oven until bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
- You can add cooked ground meat like sausage or beef to the filling for a heartier dish.
- Feel free to customize the seasoning with herbs like oregano, basil, or red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: comfort food, pasta recipe, Italian cuisine