Description
Delicious Italian-inspired stuffed jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy mixture of ricotta, spinach, and cheeses, baked in a flavorful marinara sauce. This vegetarian main course is perfect for a comforting dinner that’s both hearty and nutritious.
Ingredients
Scale
Stuffed Pasta
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the stuffed pasta shells.
- Cook Pasta Shells: Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions until they are al dente. Drain them and set aside to cool slightly to make filling easier.
- Sauté Spinach and Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, then remove from heat.
- Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, the egg, sautéed spinach and garlic mixture, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a creamy filling.
- Assemble: Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a baking dish. Carefully fill each cooked pasta shell with the spinach and ricotta mixture, then place them in the baking dish in a single layer.
- Add Sauce: Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the filled pasta shells to cover them evenly.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the filling is heated through.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add cooked mushrooms or chopped artichokes to the filling mixture.
- Sprinkle additional shredded mozzarella cheese on top before baking for a golden, cheesy crust.
