Description
Cheesy spinach ricotta stuffed shells bring Mediterranean comfort to pasta night, offering a delightful blend of creamy ricotta and tender spinach. Rich flavors and wholesome ingredients make this classic Italian-inspired dish perfect for family dinners and weekend gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Cheese and Binding Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
Seasoning and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 jar (24 ounces/680 grams) marinara sauce
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing a welcoming environment for the stuffed shells to bake to perfection.
- Boil jumbo shells in salted water according to package instructions, ensuring they’re cooked al dente. Carefully drain and allow to cool until comfortable to handle.
- Create a luxurious filling by combining ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and egg in a mixing bowl. Gently fold in finely chopped spinach, then season with salt and pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
- Spread half the marinara sauce across the bottom of a baking dish, creating a vibrant base for the shells.
- Generously stuff each shell with the creamy cheese and spinach mixture, arranging them carefully in the sauce-lined dish.
- Drizzle the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring complete coverage.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the dish is bubbling and the cheese becomes golden and irresistibly melted.
- Garnish with freshly torn basil leaves just before serving, adding a burst of aromatic freshness to the dish.
Notes
- Choose jumbo shells that are intact and free from cracks to prevent filling leakage during baking.
- Pat spinach dry thoroughly to avoid excess moisture making the filling watery and losing its creamy texture.
- Customize the cheese blend by experimenting with different Italian cheeses like fontina or provolone for unique flavor profiles.
- Make this dish vegetarian-friendly by ensuring all cheese ingredients are rennet-free and using plant-based marinara sauce.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 590 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg