Cheesy Baked Stuffed Shells Recipe: A Dreamy Italian Classic

Creamy baked stuffed shells burst with flavor that’ll make your dinner table come alive.

Pasta lovers rejoice in this comforting Italian-inspired dish.

Ricotta and spinach create a delightful filling that melts in your mouth.

Cheesy goodness awaits with every single bite.

Herbs and spices dance through each shell, promising a memorable meal.

Weeknight dinners suddenly feel like special occasions with this simple yet impressive recipe.

Grab a fork and get ready to savor every delicious moment.

Baked Stuffed Shells: Pillows of Comfort

• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: A classic Italian-inspired dish that brings warmth and deliciousness to any dinner table, guaranteed to make everyone smile.
• Master Easy Technique: Simple step-by-step process that even beginner cooks can confidently tackle, with no complicated culinary skills required.
• Customizable Creativity: Flexible recipe allowing personal touches like adding different herbs, switching cheeses, or incorporating extra vegetables for a unique twist.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Perfect for preparing in advance, storing in the refrigerator, and baking when ready, making meal planning a breeze for busy families and individuals.

Ingredients to Stuff and Bake Perfect Shells

• Jumbo Pasta Shells: Large pasta shells perfect for holding the creamy stuffing.

• Ricotta Cheese: Provides a smooth and creamy base for the filling.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Adds a classic stretchy and melty texture to the dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers a sharp and tangy flavor to enhance the overall taste.
• Egg: Helps bind the cheese mixture together and create a cohesive filling.

• Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle and aromatic garlic flavor to the cheese mixture.
• Italian Seasoning: Brings a traditional Italian herb blend to the recipe.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
• Parsley or Basil: Provides a fresh and aromatic herb note to the filling.

• Marinara Sauce: A classic tomato-based sauce that complements the cheesy shells.

Your Guide to Perfect Baked Stuffed Shells

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Get your oven ready by setting it to a toasty 375°F (190°C). This will ensure a perfect baking environment for your delicious shells.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta Shells

Boil the jumbo pasta shells in salted water until they’re perfectly tender. Once cooked, carefully drain and set them aside to cool slightly.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Cheese Filling

• Ricotta cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Egg
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh chopped parsley or basil

Blend everything together until smooth and well-mixed.

Step 4: Prepare the Baking Dish

Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and generously spread marinara sauce across the bottom.

This creates a flavorful base for your shells.

Step 5: Stuff the Shells

Take each cooked shell and lovingly fill it with the creamy cheese mixture.

Arrange the stuffed shells neatly in the sauce-covered baking dish.

Step 6: Add More Sauce and Cheese

Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells.

Sprinkle an extra layer of shredded mozzarella on top for an irresistible cheesy finish.

Step 7: First Baking Round

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide it into the preheated oven.

Bake for 25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 8: Final Baking Touch

Remove the foil and return the dish to the oven.

Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Let the baked shells cool for a few minutes.

This allows the filling to set and makes serving easier. Enjoy your cheesy, saucy masterpiece!

Chef’s Tip for a Golden Cheese Crust

• Use fresh herbs like basil or parsley for a vibrant, aromatic flavor boost that elevates the entire dish.
• Drain ricotta cheese thoroughly to prevent watery filling and ensure a creamy, rich texture inside the shells.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like adding fontina or provolone for a more complex, gourmet taste profile.
• Make ahead and freeze unbaked shells for an easy weeknight meal – simply thaw and bake when ready to serve.
• For a protein-packed variation, mix ground turkey or Italian sausage into the cheese filling for added depth and nutrition.

Unique Fillings to Try in Your Shells

• Gluten-Free Shell Swap: Replace traditional pasta shells with gluten-free jumbo shells made from rice or corn flour to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Cheese Challenge: Substitute dairy cheese with plant-based ricotta and mozzarella alternatives made from cashews or tofu, using nutritional yeast for extra flavor.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Version: Replace pasta shells with halved zucchini boats, filling them with the cheese mixture and baking for a keto-friendly alternative.
• Mediterranean Herb Upgrade: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, add chopped kalamata olives, and sprinkle fresh oregano to give the dish a Greek-inspired profile.

Sides That Complement Stuffed Shells

• Dinner Party Delight: Serve these cheesy shells as a stunning centerpiece that'll wow your guests with their elegant yet comforting appearance.
• Weeknight Family Feast: Pair the shells with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal that satisfies everyone from kids to adults.
• Italian-Inspired Spread: Create a rustic Italian-style dinner by adding a charcuterie board with cured meats, olives, and crusty bread alongside the stuffed shells.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare extra shells and store in individual containers for quick, delicious lunches throughout the week that reheat perfectly.

How to Maintain Shells’ Tender Texture

• Refrigerate leftover stuffed shells in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
• Ensure the shells are completely cooled before storing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Use shallow containers to help the shells cool faster and maintain their texture.
• Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn if freezing.

FAQs

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, you can easily make it vegetarian by using plant-based cheese alternatives and ensuring your marinara sauce doesn’t contain meat products.

• Is this dish freezer-friendly?

Absolutely! You can prepare the stuffed shells, freeze them before baking, and store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

• What if I don't have jumbo shells?

You can substitute with large pasta tubes like conchiglioni or use large pasta sheets to create rolled lasagna-style stuffed pasta.

• How can I add more protein to this recipe?

Consider mixing ground chicken, turkey, or crumbled plant-based meat into the cheese filling to boost protein content.

Easy Baked Stuffed Shells Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Cheesy baked stuffed shells bring comfort and joy to pasta enthusiasts seeking a hearty Italian-American classic. Ricotta, spinach, and mozzarella create a delightful filling nestled in tender pasta shells, promising a satisfying meal you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cheese:

• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)

Pasta and Filling:

• 20 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Sauce and Herbs:

• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 375F, preparing a perfect environment for baking the stuffed shells.
2. Boil jumbo pasta shells in salted water until they reach a tender al dente consistency, then carefully drain and set aside to cool slightly.
3. Create a rich filling by combining creamy ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, beaten egg, aromatic garlic powder, fragrant Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and freshly chopped herbs.
4. Generously coat the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with marinara sauce, creating a flavorful foundation for the shells.
5. Gently fill each cooked shell with the prepared cheese mixture, nestling them snugly into the sauced baking dish.
6. Drench the stuffed shells with remaining marinara sauce, ensuring complete coverage, then sprinkle additional mozzarella across the top.
7. Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the shells to heat through.
8. Uncover the dish and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
9. Allow the shells to rest for 5-10 minutes, letting the filling set and flavors intensify before serving.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and even texture of the cheese filling.
• Slightly undercook shells during initial boiling, as they’ll continue cooking in the oven to prevent mushiness.
• For a gluten-free version, replace traditional pasta shells with zucchini boats or large portobello mushroom caps.
• Boost protein content by adding cooked ground turkey or lean beef to the ricotta mixture for a heartier meal.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 445 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg