Easy Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells (Print Version)
Pasta shells with ricotta, spinach, and cheeses baked in marinara make a comforting Italian-inspired dinner.
# Ingredients:
01 -
12 jumbo pasta shells
02 -
1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
03 -
¼ teaspoon nutmeg, optional
04 -
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
05 -
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
06 -
1 large egg
07 -
1 cup fresh spinach, chopped (or ½ cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
08 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
09 -
2 cups marinara sauce
10 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
11 -
Salt and pepper, to taste
12 -
Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
# Directions:
01 -
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If using fresh spinach, wash and chop it finely. If using frozen spinach, ensure it's thawed and squeeze out any excess water.
02 -
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the jumbo pasta shells until they're al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 -
In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add the spinach and cook until wilted (if using fresh) or heated through (if using frozen). Season with salt and pepper. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, egg, nutmeg (if using) and the sautéed spinach mixture. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
04 -
Spread a layer of marinara sauce at the bottom of a baking dish. Carefully stuff each pasta shell with the cheese and spinach mixture and place them seam side up in the dish. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells. Sprinkle additional mozzarella on top.
05 -
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
06 -
Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
# Notes:
01 -
For an extra cheesy top, you can add more mozzarella or even some provolone cheese before the final 10 minutes of baking.
02 -
If you like a bit of heat, consider adding some red pepper flakes to the cheese mixture or sprinkling on top before baking.
03 -
This dish pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad or garlic bread on the side.