Description
A comforting, crowd-pleasing pasta dish featuring jumbo shells filled with a rich ricotta and cheese mixture, baked in savory tomato sauce.
Ingredients
- 24 jumbo pasta shells
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2–1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large beaten egg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- A pinch of nutmeg
- 2 cups chopped cooked spinach (optional)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Boil jumbo shells in salted water for 8–9 minutes until slightly firm (al dente), then drain and cool on a rimmed baking sheet.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in spinach if using.
- Spread marinara sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Fill each shell with about 2 tablespoons of the filling and nestle them into the sauce.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top, cover with foil, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 8–10 minutes to brown the top. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Serve with a green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. For a spicy twist, top with red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian