Description
These Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Spinach are a comforting and delicious dish, featuring jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy ricotta and spinach mixture, baked in marinara sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this vegetarian dish is easy to make and sure to satisfy!
Ingredients
- 16 pieces jumbo shell pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 4 cups spinach
- 12 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (reserve some for topping)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the jumbo shell pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the garlic and spinach: In a pan, heat olive oil and sauté the garlic until fragrant. Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the sautéed garlic and spinach with ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella, egg, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Stuff the shells: Carefully stuff the cooked pasta shells with the ricotta-spinach mixture, dividing it evenly among the shells.
- Assemble the dish: Pour half of the marinara sauce into a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer, then pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Finish and serve: Top with reserved Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- You can swap the marinara sauce for a meat-based Bolognese or creamy Alfredo sauce for a different twist.
- For added flavor, consider adding mushrooms, onions, or crumbled sausage to the ricotta filling.
- This dish is vegetarian but can be made with meat by adding ground beef or sausage to the filling.
