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Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

A comforting and savory dish featuring jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy spinach and ricotta mixture, topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce
  • 24 pieces jumbo pasta shells (uncooked)
  • 3 cups marinara sauce, homemade or store-bought Choose a good-quality jar for quicker prep
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
Filling
  • 2 cups whole-milk ricotta Use part-skim for a lighter option
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella Plus 1/2 cup for topping
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino
  • 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry Can be swapped with kale for a stronger flavor
  • 1 large egg, beaten Omit for eggless; add a tablespoon of cornstarch
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes Optional for a gentle heat
  • to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly oil a 9×13-inch baking dish with one tablespoon of olive oil.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo shells according to package directions until al dente — slightly firm as they will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and lay shells open-side up on a parchment-lined tray so they do not stick.
  3. In a large bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Fold in the squeezed-dry spinach until evenly distributed. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Assembly
  1. Spread 1½ cups of marinara sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the sauce to prevent the shells from sticking.
  2. Spoon the ricotta-spinach mixture into each shell, filling generously but not overflowing, and arrange them seam-side up in the dish.
  3. Pour the remaining marinara over the stuffed shells, ensuring each shell has some sauce. Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup mozzarella over the top.
Baking
  1. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5–10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown slightly.
  2. Let the shells rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a richer filling, stir in a tablespoon of butter or a splash of cream. For a vegetarian but lighter twist, use part-skim ricotta and low-fat mozzarella.