Creamy Ricotta-Stuffed Pasta Shells
You'll love the indulgent combo of creamy ricotta and al dente pasta shells in this classic Italian dish. Stuffing the shells is a bit labor-intensive, but the payoff's worth it. Plus, you can easily customize the fillings to your taste. Discover how to make this comforting meal that's perfect for weeknights or entertaining.
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking Dish
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 12 large pasta shells Cooked al dente
- 2 cups ricotta cheese High-quality product preferred
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese For topping
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese Grated, for filling
- 1 large egg For binding filling
- 1 cup spinach Fresh, chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic Minced, for flavor
- 1 teaspoon salt To taste
- 1 teaspoon pepper To taste
- 1 cup marinara sauce For serving
Instructions
- 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- 2. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, spinach, salt, and pepper until well mixed.
- 3. Stuff each pasta shell with the ricotta mixture.
- 4. Spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish and place the stuffed shells on top.
- 5. Top the shells with remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
- 6. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Notes
For a variation, you can substitute cottage cheese for ricotta or add additional herbs for flavor.