spinach-ricotta-stuffed-shells-marinara

Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Marinara

TOTAL
70min
PREP
30min
COOK
40min
Medium

Jumbo pasta shells generously filled with a creamy blend of spinach and ricotta cheese, then baked to perfection in a rich marinara sauce. A classic comfort food favorite that's surprisingly easy to make.

450 Calories
25g Protein
40g Carbs
22g Fats

*Nutrition per serving

pasta
italian
vegetarian
dinner

Ingredients

Servings: 6
250g (8.8 oz) Jumbo pasta shells
30ml (2 tbsp) Olive oil
3 cloves (minced) Garlic
250g (8.8 oz) Frozen chopped spinach
450g (15.8 oz) Ricotta cheese
75g (2.6 oz) Parmesan cheese
1 large Egg
1.25ml (1/4 tsp) Nutmeg
5g (1 tsp) Salt
2.5ml (1/2 tsp) Black pepper
700g (24.7 oz) Marinara sauce
150g (5.3 oz) Mozzarella cheese

Steps

1

Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package directions until al dente, being careful not to overcook them. They should still have a slight bite. Drain the shells and rinse them with cool water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

2

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the filling. Heat 30ml (2 tbsp) of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Add the thawed and squeezed-dry spinach to the skillet. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until any remaining moisture has evaporated. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

3

In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, the beaten egg, nutmeg, 5g (1 tsp) salt, and 2.5ml (1/2 tsp) black pepper. Add the cooled spinach mixture to the bowl. Stir everything together until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

4

Spread about half of the marinara sauce (approximately 350g or 12.3 oz) evenly over the bottom of a 23x33 cm (9x13 inch) baking dish. This will prevent the shells from sticking and add extra flavor.

5

Carefully stuff each cooked jumbo pasta shell with the spinach ricotta filling. You can use a spoon or a small piping bag for this. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer over the marinara sauce in the baking dish.

6

Pour the remaining marinara sauce (approximately 350g or 12.3 oz) over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are mostly covered. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.

7

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown. Let the stuffed shells rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.