Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of stuffed shells, a classic Italian dish that combines jumbo pasta filled with a creamy four-cheese blend and fresh spinach. This comforting meal is perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknights and is easily customizable to suit your taste preferences. The rich flavor profile, enhanced by aromatic herbs, makes every bite a treat. Plus, stuffed shells can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the freezer, ensuring you always have a delicious dinner option on hand.
Ingredients
Scale
- 18–20 jumbo pasta shells
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 4 cups spinach
- 15 oz. ricotta cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded, divided)
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1 egg
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- Fresh parsley (to garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Dried basil
- Dried parsley
- Dried oregano
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Boil salted water in a large pot and cook the jumbo pasta shells until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat; sauté garlic until fragrant, then add spinach until wilted. Set aside to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, salt, pepper, herbs, half of the mozzarella, most of the Parmesan, cream cheese, and egg. Fold in the cooled spinach mixture.
- Spread half of the marinara sauce in a casserole dish. Fill each shell with the cheese mixture and place them in the dish. Top with remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes; remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed shell (approximately 130g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 70mg