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Stuffed Shell Pasta Recipe with Ricotta Cheese and Spinach

Stuffed Shell Pasta Recipe

Creamy cheese-filled Stuffed Shell Pasta baked in rich marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella. This easy baked pasta recipe is perfect for family dinners, meal prep, and comfort food cravings. Every shell is packed with a delicious spinach and ricotta filling, then baked until golden and bubbly.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 24 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 20 shells Jumbo Pasta Shells cooked al dente
  • 2 cups Ricotta Cheese or cottage cheese
  • 2 cups Spinach chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Italian Seasoning dried
  • 1/2 tsp Salt to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper to taste
  • 2 cups Marinara Sauce divided
  • 1/2 cups 1 Mozzarella Cheese shredded
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan Cheese optional garnish
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley chopped for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking dish (9x13 inch)
  • Spoon
  • Measuring cups
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook jumbo pasta shells until just tender. Drain and allow them to cool slightly.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Spread 1 cup marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of a baking dish.
  5. Fill each cooked shell generously with the cheese and spinach mixture.
  6. Arrange stuffed shells over the marinara sauce in a single layer.
  7. Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the shells.
  8. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
  9. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  10. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta shells before stuffing.
Frozen spinach works well; squeeze out excess moisture first.
Add cooked ground chicken or turkey for extra protein.
Cover with foil during the first 15 minutes of baking if the cheese browns too quickly.
Leftovers store well for meal prep.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
  • Calories: 420
  • Protein: 22g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fat: 20g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Sugar: 6g