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Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta

  • Author: Sally Thompson
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Celebrate the holidays with this irresistible Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta—perfect for cozy dinners, potlucks, or a centerpiece on your Christmas table. Filled with creamy ricotta, spinach, and topped with bubbly mozzarella and rich marinara, this easy dinner recipe is the definition of comfort food. Whether you’re searching for quick Christmas dinner ideas, a vegetarian main, or festive food ideas that please a crowd, this dish is hearty, satisfying, and beautifully seasonal.


Ingredients

Scale

12 oz jumbo pasta shells or fresh lasagna sheets

15 oz ricotta cheese

5 oz fresh spinach

1 large egg

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 cups marinara sauce

2 tbsp chopped fresh basil or parsley


Instructions

1. Boil pasta shells or lasagna sheets in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Sauté garlic, add spinach, cook until wilted, then drain and chop.

3. Mix ricotta, spinach, egg, parmesan, mozzarella, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

4. Spread marinara sauce in a baking dish.

5. Fill pasta or roll sheets and place in dish.

6. Top with sauce and cheese.

7. Cover and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.

8. Uncover and bake 10–15 more minutes.

9. Rest 5 minutes, garnish, and serve.


Notes

Drain ricotta or spinach well to avoid excess moisture.

Do not overcook pasta before baking.

Assemble ahead for easier holiday prep.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 650mg
  • Fat: 23g
  • Saturated Fat: 11g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: festive pasta, Christmas dinner, ricotta stuffed shells, vegetarian holiday recipe, baked pasta