Delight your family with these creamy Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Shells. This dish offers a rich blend of flavors from the cheese-filled pasta to the savory marinara sauce, making it perfect for family dinners or special occasions. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy meal or something a bit more refined, this recipe will not disappoint.
Ingredients
Scale
12 jumbo pasta shells
1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 large egg
1 cup fresh spinach, chopped (or ½ cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups marinara sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Preparation
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
If using fresh spinach, wash and finely chop it. For frozen spinach, ensure it’s fully thawed and squeeze out any excess water.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta Shells
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the jumbo pasta shells until al dente. Drain and set them aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Add the spinach and cook until wilted or heated through if using frozen spinach. Season with salt and pepper.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, egg, nutmeg, and the spinach mixture. Mix until well combined.
Step 4: Assemble the Dish
Spread a layer of marinara sauce at the bottom of a baking dish.
Stuff each pasta shell with the ricotta and spinach mixture and place them seam side up in the baking dish.
Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells and sprinkle extra mozzarella on top.
Step 5: Bake
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Step 6: Serve
Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving. Enjoy your delicious Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Shells!
Notes
Choose Fresh Ingredients: Whenever possible, use fresh spinach and ricotta to enhance the flavor and texture of the dish.
Nutmeg Option: Adding a dash of nutmeg to the filling will elevate the taste of the ricotta, making it a bit more aromatic.
Customizable Filling: Feel free to swap out spinach for kale or chard for a different flavor profile.
