Description
These Easy Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Shells are the perfect comfort food! Jumbo pasta shells filled with creamy ricotta and spinach, topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella. This dish is a simple, yet delicious, vegetarian meal that will satisfy the whole family!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12–15 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup cooked spinach, drained and chopped (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Shells:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions, typically around 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, cooked spinach, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until fully incorporated.
- Stuff the Shells:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread 1/2 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Using a spoon, stuff each cooked shell with the ricotta-spinach mixture and place them in the baking dish, open side up.
- Assemble the Dish:
- Once all the shells are stuffed and arranged in the dish, pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top of the shells.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake:
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- You can use pre-made spinach or frozen spinach to save time. Just be sure to squeeze out any excess water.
- For extra flavor, you can add some Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes to the filling or sauce.
- This recipe can be made ahead of time and refrigerated. Just bake it when you’re ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the dish
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 70mg