5 from 40 votes
Ricotta Stuffed Shells Recipe
Ricotta Stuffed Shells consist of jumbo pasta shells filled with a seasoned mixture of ricotta, Parmesan, egg, fresh herbs, and spices. Topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella, this baked dish combines creamy, cheesy filling with tender pasta and rich tomato flavors. It can be baked in the oven or adapted for slow cooker preparation, offering versatility for different cooking preferences.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings:
5
Calories:
445 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 20 jumbo pasta shells (half of a 12-ounce box)
- 3 cups marinara sauce or 24-ounce jar, homemade
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2/3 cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons Italian parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon rosemary chopped, fresh
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- Lightly oil or spray a 9 X 13 inch baking pan and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Partially cook the pasta shells in water, 4-6 minutes. Strain the shells and lay in the pan. (See no-boil instructions in notes.)
- Mix the ricotta, parmesan, egg, parsley, rosemary, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and crushed red pepper together in a medium bowl. Fill each shell with 1-2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture.
- Spoon the sauce on and around the shells. Top with mozzarella cheese. Cover the pan tightly with foil. Bake until bubbly and golden, about 25 minutes. If you want the cheesy top golden, take the foil off the last 3-5 minutes.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- You can soak jumbo pasta shells in hot salted water for 20-25 minutes as an alternative to boiling before stuffing.
- Homemade marinara sauce can be used in place of jarred sauce for personal flavor preference.
- For a slow cooker method, cook the stuffed shells on low for 5-7 hours after stuffing and layering with sauce and cheese.
- Stuffed shells freeze well; bake frozen shells for 50+ minutes to reheat evenly.
Nutrition Information
Serving
4shells
Calories
445kcal
(22%)
Carbohydrates
36g
(12%)
Protein
27g
(54%)
Fat
22g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Cholesterol
115mg
(38%)
Sodium
1554mg
(65%)
Potassium
705mg
(15%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
1478IU
(30%)
Vitamin C
12mg
(13%)
Calcium
471mg
(47%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 5 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 445
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 4shells | |
| Calories | 445kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 36g | 12% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Cholesterol | 115mg | 38% |
| Sodium | 1554mg | 65% |
| Potassium | 705mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 1478IU | 30% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 471mg | 47% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.