Description
Delectable Ricotta Stuffed Shells bring Italian comfort to dinner tables with creamy cheese and hearty marinara. Pasta lovers will savor each bite of these tender shells packed with rich, herbed ricotta and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese:
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Binding and Seasoning:
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Sauce:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) marinara sauce
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to a precise 375°F (190°C), ensuring an optimal cooking environment for the shells.
- Submerge jumbo pasta shells in boiling water, cooking until they reach an al dente texture. Carefully drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Create a creamy filling by whisking ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Prepare the baking dish by spreading a generous layer of marinara sauce across the bottom, creating a flavorful foundation.
- Delicately stuff each cooked pasta shell with the ricotta mixture, positioning them strategically over the marinara sauce base.
- Lavishly coat the stuffed shells with remaining marinara sauce, ensuring complete coverage and added moisture.
- Generously sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top, creating a tantalizing cheese blanket.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and shells to heat through.
- Remove the foil and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Finish with a light garnish of fresh basil leaves for a burst of aromatic freshness. Serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Perfectly cook pasta shells by following package instructions exactly, ensuring they’re al dente to prevent soggy texture when baked.
- Drain shells immediately and spread on a clean kitchen towel to prevent sticking and maintain ideal shell shape for stuffing.
- Enhance ricotta mixture’s flavor by adding fresh herbs like chopped parsley or basil for extra brightness and depth.
- Adapt recipe for vegetarian diets by using plant-based cheese alternatives and ensuring marinara sauce contains no meat-based ingredients.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 406 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 487 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 78 mg