This Baked Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells Recipe is a delightful dish that combines large pasta shells filled with a creamy spinach and ricotta mixture, topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese. It’s perfect for a comforting dinner or as a satisfying snacks recipe.
The preparation is simple, making it a great option for both weeknight meals and special occasions. You can customize the filling with additional ingredients like herbs or spices to enhance the flavor.
Delicious Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
These stuffed shells are filled with a mixture of ricotta cheese, spinach, and seasonings, then baked in marinara sauce and topped with mozzarella cheese. The recipe takes about 1 hour from start to finish and serves 4-6 people.
Ingredients
- 12 large pasta shells
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, Parmesan cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, beaten egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Stuff the Shells: Spoon the ricotta mixture into each cooked pasta shell and place them in a baking dish.
- Add Sauce: Pour marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are well covered. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve hot.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 4-6 servings
- Calories: 350kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Protein: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
