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Stuffed Shells Recipe

Delicious Stuffed Shells Recipe for Comforting Family Meals

This comforting Stuffed Shells Recipe features cheesy ricotta-filled pasta shells in rich marinara sauce, perfect for family meals.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

For the Shells
  • 12 shells jumbo pasta shells cook according to package instructions
For the Filling
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese or cottage cheese for a lighter option
  • 1 large egg can be omitted for vegan version
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for dairy-free
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese consider dairy-free cheese blends
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley or fresh basil as a substitute
For the Sauce
  • 2 cups marinara sauce homemade or store-bought
  • 1 medium onion chopped; shallots can be used
  • 2 cloves garlic minced; can use garlic powder as substitute
  • 1 tsp salt kosher is preferred
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper or white pepper for a different kick
  • 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning

Equipment

  • large pot
  • large skillet
  • mixing bowl
  • Casserole Dish
  • aluminum foil

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375˚F (190˚C). In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and add the jumbo pasta shells. Cook until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water.
  2. In a large skillet, add olive oil and sauté the chopped onion until golden. Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano, cooking until fragrant. Add marinara sauce and let simmer for about 10 minutes.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella, parmesan, egg, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper, mixing until well blended.
  4. Fill each cooked shell with the cheese mixture, then spread a layer of marinara in a casserole dish. Place the filled shells and drizzle with remaining sauce, topping with leftover mozzarella.
  5. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and broil for an additional 2-4 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
  6. Let cool for a few minutes, then garnish with parsley and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 26gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 550mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 400mgIron: 3mg

Notes

These stuffed shells are ideal for meal prepping and freezing for later. Consider adding spinach into the filling for extra nutrients.

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