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Baked stuffed shells with ricotta and spinach, topped with melted cheese and herbs in a tomato sauce.
Reda

Classic Three-Cheese & Spinach Stuffed Shells

Tender jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, mingled with spinach, and baked in a rich marinara sauce. A perfect, comforting Italian-American classic for any family dinner.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the Shells & Sauce
  • 12 oz Jumbo pasta shells about 24-30 shells
  • 24 oz Marinara sauce your favorite brand
  • 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese for topping
  • 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese for topping
For the Cheese & Spinach Filling
  • 15 oz Whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
  • 10 oz Frozen chopped spinach thawed and squeezed very dry
  • 1 Large egg lightly beaten
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper freshly ground
  • 2 tbsp Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Colander
  • Spoon or Piping Bag

Method
 

Prepare the Pasta & Oven
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread about 1.5 cups of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo shells according to package directions until al dente. Be sure not to overcook them. It's a good idea to cook a few extra shells in case some tear.
  3. Drain the shells in a colander and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process and make them easier to handle. Set aside.
Make the Filling & Assemble
  1. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the filling. Ensure the thawed spinach is squeezed completely dry to remove all excess moisture. You can use your hands or a cheesecloth for this.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, the dried spinach, beaten egg, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is well combined.
  3. Carefully fill each cooked pasta shell with a generous amount of the cheese mixture (about 2 tablespoons per shell). A small spoon or a piping bag with the tip cut off works perfectly. Arrange the filled shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, open-side up.
Bake the Stuffed Shells
  1. Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the top of the stuffed shells.
  2. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese evenly over the sauce.
  3. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  4. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown on top.
  5. Remove from the oven and let the stuffed shells rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows them to set up slightly. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

Make-Ahead: You can assemble the entire dish (without baking), cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, you may need to add an extra 10 minutes to the covered baking time. Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.