These Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Mini Shells are a delightful choice for Christmas Eve appetizers. Filled with a creamy mixture of ricotta cheese and fresh spinach, they offer a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
This recipe is easy to follow and makes for an impressive dish that will surely please your guests. Serve them warm with marinara sauce for a festive touch.
Delicious Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Mini Shells
This dish features tender pasta shells filled with a rich and creamy ricotta and spinach mixture, baked until golden and bubbly. The recipe takes about 45 minutes from start to finish and serves 6 people.
Ingredients
- 12 oz mini pasta shells
- 15 oz 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 salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, boil salted water and cook the mini 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, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, beaten egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Stuff the Shells: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Fill each cooked mini shell with the spinach and ricotta mixture and place them in a greased 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 foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Mini Shells warm as a festive appetizer.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 6 servings
- Calories: 250kcal
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
