Description
Mouthwatering stuffed shells recipe brings classic Italian comfort to dinner tables. Cheesy ricotta-filled pasta shells bake with marinara sauce, offering a satisfying meal that delights home cooks and guests alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Filling and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
Spices:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C), positioning rack in center of oven.
- Cook pasta shells in salted boiling water until al dente, following package directions. Drain thoroughly and allow to cool completely on a clean kitchen towel.
- Combine ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Blend until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Spread a generous layer of marinara sauce across the bottom of a rectangular baking dish, ensuring complete coverage.
- Using a spoon or piping bag, carefully fill each pasta shell with the prepared cheese mixture, placing them snugly in the sauced baking dish.
- Drizzle remaining marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells, making sure each shell is partially covered.
- Sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese over the top of the shells for extra richness and golden color.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to prevent excessive moisture loss.
- Bake covered for 25 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and edges are golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5-7 minutes to allow filling to set and cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Opt for jumbo shells to ensure easy filling and better cheese-to-pasta ratio.
- Slightly undercook pasta shells to prevent them from becoming mushy during baking.
- For a healthier version, substitute part-skim ricotta and use whole wheat shells.
- Customize the recipe by adding cooked ground meat or spinach to the cheese mixture for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg