Description
A comforting and delicious Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Shells Bake featuring jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, mixed with nutrient-rich spinach. This dish is baked in marinara sauce until bubbly and golden, making it perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, plus extra for topping
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped spinach, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until fully combined to create your cheesy spinach filling.
- Using a spoon, carefully stuff each cooked shell with the cheese and spinach mixture.
- Place the stuffed shells in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Evenly pour the marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are well coated.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top for a golden crust.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired before serving your Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Shells.
Notes
- Ensure the pasta shells are cooked al dente to prevent them from becoming mushy during baking.
- Drain excess moisture from spinach if using frozen spinach.
- Adjust seasonings to your preference.
- For a richer flavor, you can add sautéed mushrooms or artichoke hearts to the filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2-3 shells
- Calories: 350-400
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 10-15g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: 50-55g
- Fiber: 3-5g
- Protein: 15-20g
- Cholesterol: N/A