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+ servings
recipe image of ricotta cheese fresh spinach pasta shells mozzarella cheese parmesan cheese marinara sauce garlic onion basil oregano salt pepper butter flour eggs ground beef italian seasoning cream cheese feta cheese arranged on a white marble kitchen counter with healthy clear glass bowls and rustic brown wooden kitchen sets under soft diffuse daylight
C. Motter Cindy

Easy Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

A comforting and easy-to-make stuffed shells recipe featuring ricotta, spinach, and marinara sauce, perfect for a family dinner.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz Pasta Shells Jumbo shells
  • 16 oz Ricotta Cheese Whole milk ricotta
  • 2 cups Fresh Spinach Sautéed and squeezed dry
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese Grated
  • 2 cups Marinara Sauce Store-bought or homemade
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 1 small Onion Diced
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 tsp Basil Dried
  • 1 tsp Oregano Dried
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • 9x13-inch baking dish,

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo pasta shells until they are just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Sauté the fresh spinach with garlic and a teaspoon of butter until wilted. Once cooled, squeeze out all the excess moisture.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, squeezed spinach, half of the mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, and dried basil and oregano. Stir until well combined.
  4. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  5. Using a small spoon, fill each cooked pasta shell with the ricotta mixture and place them snugly in the baking dish in rows.
  6. Pour the remaining sauce over the shells and sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
  7. Let the dish sit for five minutes before serving. This allows the cheese to set, making it easier to lift the stuffed shells onto plates without them falling apart.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 20gFat: 25g

Notes

This recipe is versatile and can be adapted to various dietary needs. For a meatless meal, omit the meat from the marinara sauce. For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free cheese alternatives.
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