Description
These Ricotta Stuffed Shells are the perfect comfort food, featuring jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy ricotta mixture, baked in marinara sauce, and topped with mozzarella and Parmesan. Easy to prepare, these stuffed shells are a delicious, satisfying meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling:
- 12 oz jumbo pasta shells
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried oregano
Optional Toppings:
- Additional Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package directions. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, combine marinara sauce, dried basil, and oregano.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Stuff each cooked pasta shell with the ricotta cheese mixture and place in the baking dish.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired.
- Let the shells rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can prepare the shells ahead of time and refrigerate them before baking.
- To add more vegetables, consider adding spinach or zucchini to the ricotta mixture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Italian
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American