Description
Classic Stuffed Shells is a comforting Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy ricotta and mozzarella cheese mixture, layered with marinara sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This hearty recipe is perfect for family dinners or gatherings, combining rich cheese flavors with savory Italian seasoning in a delicious baked casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Shells
- 24 jumbo pasta shells, cooked according to package directions
Cheese Filling
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce and Toppings
- 3 cups marinara sauce, divided use
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a 9″x13″ baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Layer Marinara Sauce: Spread 1 1/2 cups of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create a flavorful base.
- Make Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, egg, salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir thoroughly to blend all ingredients into a creamy mixture.
- Fill Pasta Shells: Carefully fill each cooked jumbo pasta shell with the ricotta cheese mixture, then arrange the filled shells in a single layer on top of the marinara sauce in the baking dish.
- Add Sauce and Cheese Topping: Spoon the remaining 1 1/2 cups of marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells. Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese on top to cover the shells.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the filling to heat through.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the baked shells for a touch of color and freshness. Serve warm and enjoy this savory comfort food.
Notes
- Under-cook the pasta shells by 1-2 minutes since they will finish cooking during baking; this ensures they hold their shape and are not too soft.
- Use whole milk ricotta and mozzarella for richer flavor, or part-skim versions to reduce calories.
- Grate your own mozzarella and Parmesan cheese instead of using pre-shredded versions to achieve smoother melting and avoid additives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 stuffed shells)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
