Description
Creamy ricotta stuffed shells bring Italian comfort to your dinner table. Pasta shells brim with herbed cheese, nestled in marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella. You’ll savor each cheesy, comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) marinara sauce
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese
Cheese and Binding Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a preheated oven at 375F (190C), ensuring optimal temperature for baking.
- Cook jumbo pasta shells in boiling water until they reach a tender al dente consistency, then carefully drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Create a creamy filling by whisking ricotta cheese with mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and seasonings until thoroughly blended and smooth.
- Evenly distribute marinara sauce across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating a flavorful base for the shells.
- Generously fill each pasta shell with the prepared ricotta mixture, positioning them open-side up in the sauced baking dish.
- Drench the stuffed shells with remaining marinara sauce, then sprinkle an additional layer of mozzarella cheese for extra richness.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for 10 more minutes until cheese melts and develops a golden, bubbly surface.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley just before serving to add a vibrant, aromatic finishing touch.
Notes
- Achieve perfect al dente shells by cooking 1-2 minutes less than package instructions to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Replace egg with ground flaxseed mixed with water for a vegan-friendly version that maintains binding properties.
- Use part-skim ricotta to reduce overall fat content without compromising creamy texture and flavor profile.
- Customize flavor by adding roasted vegetables like spinach or zucchini into the cheese mixture for extra nutrition and depth.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg