5.0 from 12 votes
Classic Stuffed Shells
Pasta shells are stuffed with a cheesy ricotta, spinach and garlic filling, then smothered in marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese and baked until bubbly and golden brown!
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 1170 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian , American
Ingredients
- 24 oz jar marinara sauce (or approximately 3 cups of homemade sauce)
- 12 oz box dried jumbo pasta shells
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 5 cups fresh baby spinach leaves roughly chopped
- 30 - 32 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 Tbsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 Tbsp fresh minced basil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese divided
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese freshly grated is best
- minced fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Prepare
- Spray a 9x13” baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Cup of Yum
Boil pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then boil jumbo shells several minutes less than the package directions state (I boil mine for 8 minutes). Drain.
Make filling
- While pasta is cooking, add olive oil to a large skillet and heat over MED HIGH heat. Once oil is hot, add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for about a minute or so, until it just begins to turn golden brown.
- Add spinach and cook for about 4 minutes, or until spinach is wilted and reduced by about half, but the leaves are still green. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a mixing bowl, add ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, minced basil, salt, pepper, 3 cups mozzarella cheese, eggs, and Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine.
- Stir in cooked spinach and garlic mixture.
Assemble
- Spread about half of the marinara sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Fill each shell with a generous amount of the ricotta filling, then add to the baking dish (they should fit 6 down and 4 across for a total of 24).
- Spoon the rest of the marinara sauce over the tops of the shells, then sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese.
Bake
- Cover dish loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake another 10 minutes, until sauce is hot and bubbly and cheese is melted and starting to brown.
Serve
- Sprinkle with minced parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Even though you'll only be using approximately 24 shells, I do recommend cooking the whole box. Some will inevitably break during the boiling/draining/filling process.
Nutrition Information
Calories
1170kcal
(59%)
Carbohydrates
68g
(23%)
Protein
73g
(146%)
Fat
69g
(106%)
Saturated Fat
39g
(195%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
21g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
289mg
(96%)
Sodium
2129mg
(89%)
Potassium
2036mg
(58%)
Fiber
8g
(32%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
21081IU
(422%)
Vitamin C
64mg
(71%)
Calcium
1420mg
(142%)
Iron
10mg
(56%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1170
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 1170kcal | 59% |
| Carbohydrates | 68g | 23% |
| Protein | 73g | 146% |
| Fat | 69g | 106% |
| Saturated Fat | 39g | 195% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 21g | 105% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 289mg | 96% |
| Sodium | 2129mg | 89% |
| Potassium | 2036mg | 43% |
| Fiber | 8g | 32% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 21081IU | 422% |
| Vitamin C | 64mg | 71% |
| Calcium | 1420mg | 142% |
| Iron | 10mg | 56% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.