Description
Create a warm and inviting family dinner with these Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Shells. Jumbo pasta shells are filled with a creamy ricotta and spinach mixture, then baked in a rich tomato sauce until bubbly and golden. It’s a comforting classic that’s sure to please everyone at your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the jumbo shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain them and set aside.
- While the shells cook, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked spinach, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Stir the cooked onion and garlic into the ricotta mixture.
- Spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Carefully stuff each cooked pasta shell with the ricotta and spinach filling.
- Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and extra Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover the baking dish with foil.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is heated through.
- Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For an extra layer of flavor, you can add a pinch of nutmeg to the ricotta filling.
- If you don’t have marinara sauce, a good quality tomato sauce will also work.
- Feel free to add cooked ground beef or Italian sausage to the marinara sauce for a heartier dish.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 4 shells)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 100mg