Description
Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Shells are a comforting and flavorful dish featuring jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy blend of ricotta, spinach, and Parmesan, then topped with marinara sauce and gooey melted mozzarella. Baked to perfection, this dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner or meal prep for the week.
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or 1 cup frozen, thawed and drained)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven – Set oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
- Cook the Pasta – Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the jumbo shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and let cool slightly.
- Prepare the Spinach – In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat.
- Make the Filling – In a large bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, cooked spinach, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Fill the Shells – Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce in the baking dish. Stuff each pasta shell with the ricotta-spinach mixture and arrange them in the dish.
- Add Sauce and Cheese – Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake – Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
- Serve – Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Enjoy!