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Stuffed Shells Recipe
Craving saucy, creamy, and comforting stuffed shells? Let me show you how to make the ultimate dish that everyone will rave about, using just 11 simple ingredients - including salt and pepper! This recipe was a staple in my family’s cozy fall dinners, and I’ve been enjoying it since childhood. Discover why it’s stood the test of time.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings:
6
people
Calories:
557 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
North American
Ingredients
- 10 ounces pasta shells jumbo
- 15 ounce ricotta cheese container
- 3 cups mozzarella divided, grated
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- ½ cup basil see notes, minced
- ½ cup parsley see notes, minced
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- lemon zest from 1
- 4 cups marinara sauce see notes
- basil to serve, or parsley
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the shells and cook for 1 minute less than the package directions. Drain the shells and then toss them with a little olive oil to prevent them from sticking together
- While the pasta is cooking, make the filling. In a large bowl, mix the ricotta, 2 cups of the mozzarella, parmesan, basil, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper, egg, and lemon zest.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour the marinara sauce into a 9"x13" casserole dish.
- Stuff each of the cooked shells and then place them, open side up, into the casserole dish and top with the 1 cup of remaining mozzarella.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes, until the shells are hot and bubbling. Remove the foil and broil for 4-5 minutes to brown the cheese. Serve topped with a little extra basil or parsley on top.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Note 1: If you'd prefer, use 1 teaspoon of either dried basil or Italian seasoning instead of the fresh herbs.
- Note 2: The quality of the marinara sauce will play a big role in how these baked shells turn out. If you're in a hurry, grab a jar of marinara sauce and use that. You can boost its flavor by adding it to some sauteed onions and garlic. Or, to make the very best baked shells, use my marinara recipe. It's very simple to make but requires about 45 minutes. But if you start it first, you can have the pasta cooked, the filling made, the shells stuffed, and the kitchen mostly cleaned up by the time it's ready!
- Note 3: the easiest way to stuff the shells is to hold one in your hand, scoop some filling with a spoon, put it into the shell, and use your thumb on the hand you are holding the shell to tap the filling down. You'll have them all filled in a few minutes!
Nutrition Information
Serving
1 = 1/6th of the recipe
Calories
557kcal
(28%)
Carbohydrates
49g
(16%)
Protein
32g
(64%)
Fat
26g
(40%)
Saturated Fat
15g
(75%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Trans Fat
0.003g
(0%)
Cholesterol
119mg
(40%)
Sodium
1736mg
(72%)
Potassium
768mg
(16%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
1940IU
(39%)
Vitamin C
20mg
(22%)
Calcium
551mg
(55%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 557
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 = 1/6th of the recipe | |
| Calories | 557kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0.003g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 119mg | 40% |
| Sodium | 1736mg | 72% |
| Potassium | 768mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 1940IU | 39% |
| Vitamin C | 20mg | 22% |
| Calcium | 551mg | 55% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.