Description
Imagine sinking your fork into delicate pasta shells, each one bursting with a rich, creamy filling of spinach and ricotta cheese. This classic Italian dish, Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells, is a true comfort food masterpiece that warms the soul and tantalizes the taste buds.
Ingredients
- Jumbo Pasta Shells: The large, boat-shaped shells provide the perfect vessel for the savory filling.
- Ricotta Cheese: This creamy, mild cheese forms the base of the filling, adding a luxurious texture and subtle flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese: A sprinkle of shredded mozzarella adds a melty, stringy element to the dish.
- Egg: A single egg helps to bind the filling and keeps it from becoming too loose.
- Cooked Spinach: Fresh or frozen spinach, sautéed until tender, lends a vibrant, earthy flavor to the filling.
- Marinara Sauce: A simple, homemade or store-bought marinara sauce provides the perfect accompaniment to the stuffed shells.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning enhance the overall flavor profile.
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta Shells: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions, until they’re al dente. Drain the shells and set them aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, cooked and chopped spinach, mozzarella, egg, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir until the ingredients are well incorporated and the filling is smooth.
- Stuff the Shells: Carefully spoon the filling into each cooked pasta shell, ensuring that they’re evenly and generously filled.
- Layer the Dish: Spread a layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish, then arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer. Top the shells with the remaining marinara sauce and, if desired, a sprinkle of extra mozzarella cheese.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the stuffed shells for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbly.
Notes
The key to achieving perfectly baked Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells lies in maintaining the right balance of temperature and time. Be sure to keep a close eye on the dish during the final minutes of baking to ensure the shells don’t become dry or overcooked.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 stuffed shells
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Spinach, Ricotta, Stuffed Shells, Italian Pasta Dish