Ah, Stuffed Shells—a classic Italian-American comfort dish! 🐚🍝 Jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy, cheesy mixture, baked in tomato sauce until bubbly. Here’s a straightforward recipe:
Classic Stuffed Shells Recipe
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
For the filling:
- 20–25 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 cup chopped spinach or cooked sausage
For the sauce:
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For topping:
- 1/2–1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Cook the pasta:
- Boil jumbo shells in salted water according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the filling:
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Fold in spinach or sausage if using.
- Assemble the shells:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Stuff each shell with the cheese mixture and place in the baking dish.
- Pour remaining sauce over the shells.
- Add cheese on top:
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and Parmesan over the sauce.
- Bake:
- Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
- Serve:
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
💡 Tips:
- Don’t overfill shells—they may burst while baking.
- For extra flavor, mix some shredded mozzarella inside the filling as well as on top.
- You can prepare this ahead of time: assemble the shells, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours before baking.
If you want, I can also give a “Creamy Garlic Spinach Stuffed Shells” version that’s extra rich and decadent, perfect for a dinner party.
Do you want me to share that version?
