Description
Indulge in the comforting flavors of Stuffed Jumbo Shells, a classic Italian-American dish featuring pasta shells filled with a rich ricotta and spinach mixture, baked to perfection in a savory marinara sauce. This hearty meal is perfect for family dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
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Prepare the Pasta:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the jumbo pasta shells in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Drain the shells and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
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Prepare the Filling:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the fresh spinach and sauté until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat, let it cool slightly, then chop the spinach finely.
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped spinach, ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
-
Assemble the Dish:
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish.
- Fill each cooked pasta shell with approximately 2 tablespoons of the ricotta-spinach mixture.
- Arrange the stuffed shells in the baking dish in a single layer.
- Pour the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce over the stuffed shells.
- Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
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Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
-
Serve:
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- Make-Ahead: You can assemble the stuffed shells up to one day in advance. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. Add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
- Freezing Instructions: To freeze, assemble the dish but do not bake. Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed.
- Variations: For added protein, mix cooked ground beef or Italian sausage into the filling. Alternatively, incorporate other vegetables like sautéed mushrooms or zucchini for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 5 stuffed shells
- Calories: Approximately 520 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg