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ricotta cheese recipes - Baked ricotta and spinach stuffed shells in a casserole dish, topped with melted mozzarella and fresh basil.

Creamy Ricotta & Spinach Stuffed Shells

A comforting and hearty Italian-American classic featuring jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy blend of ricotta cheese, spinach, and Parmesan, baked in marinara sauce until bubbly and golden.

  • Total Time: 75 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 (12 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
1 (15 ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese, drained
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry (or 10 oz fresh spinach, wilted and squeezed dry)
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, plus 1 cup for topping
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4–5 cups marinara sauce, divided
Fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Step 2: Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package directions for al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Ensure the spinach is completely thawed (if frozen) or wilted (if fresh) and thoroughly squeezed dry to remove all excess moisture. Chop finely.
Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the drained ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, beaten egg, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, ground nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
Step 5: Spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 6: Carefully stuff each cooked pasta shell with the ricotta-spinach mixture using a small spoon or piping bag. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer in the baking dish.
Step 7: Pour the remaining marinmarinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are mostly covered. Sprinkle generously with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Step 8: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the shells are heated through.
Step 9: Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
Step 10: Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, and serve hot.

Notes

For best results, always drain your ricotta and spinach thoroughly to prevent a watery filling. This dish can be assembled ahead of time and baked when ready. Leftovers store well in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 480 kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 750 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg

Keywords: ricotta cheese recipes, stuffed shells, baked pasta, spinach ricotta pasta, comfort food, Italian dinner, family meal, make ahead pasta, creamy ricotta, vegetarian dinner

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