Description
Indulge in the creamy goodness of Easy Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Shells—a delightful Italian classic that transforms ordinary family dinners into extraordinary culinary experiences. This dish features jumbo pasta shells generously filled with a rich mixture of ricotta cheese, fresh spinach, and savory spices, all baked to perfection in marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella. Whether it’s a weeknight meal or a special gathering, these stuffed shells are sure to impress everyone at the table. Best of all, they are easy to prepare, making them ideal for cooks of any skill level.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 1½ cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (plus extra for topping)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped (or ½ cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Olive oil, salt, and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil salted water in a large pot and cook the jumbo pasta shells until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, nutmeg (if using), cooked spinach mixture, salt, and pepper.
- Spread marinara sauce in a baking dish. Stuff each shell with the cheese filling and arrange them seam-side up in the dish. Top with remaining marinara sauce and extra mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes; uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until bubbly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 65mg