Description
These Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Shells are the ultimate easy dinner idea—packed with creamy ricotta, fresh sautéed spinach, and topped with gooey mozzarella. It’s the kind of healthy-ish comfort food that works for meal prep, weeknight dinner, or even as a cozy meatless main. Whether you’re looking for a quick pasta recipe, vegetarian baked dish, or family dinner idea, this one’s guaranteed to deliver flavor and satisfaction.
Ingredients
20 jumbo pasta shells
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups fresh baby spinach
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups marinara sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Cook the jumbo shells in salted boiling water just until al dente. Drain and lay flat on a towel to prevent sticking.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Set aside to cool.
3. In a large bowl, mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and the cooled spinach mixture until well combined.
4. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Fill each shell with the cheese mixture and place into the dish.
5. Top with remaining marinara and sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the shells.
6. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.
7. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Cook pasta shells just until barely tender to prevent tearing while stuffing.
Let the spinach cool completely before mixing with ricotta to avoid curdling the cheese.
You can assemble the dish a day ahead and refrigerate it—just add 5 more minutes to the bake time if cold.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 stuffed shells
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: stuffed shells, spinach ricotta pasta, vegetarian dinner, baked pasta, easy weeknight meal