Creamy Ricotta Stuffed Shells Recipe: A Cozy Family Favorite

Creamy ricotta stuffed shells bring pure comfort to your dinner table with minimal effort.

Pasta lovers adore this classic Italian-inspired dish that delivers rich, cheesy goodness in every bite.

shells packed with smooth ricotta and herbs create a delightful main course that feels indulgent yet simple.

Melted cheese cascades over tender pasta, promising a meal that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

Mediterranean flavors shine through each carefully crafted shell, inviting you to savor every mouthful.

Weeknight cooking becomes a joy with this straightforward recipe that impresses without complicated techniques.

Gather around the table and let these delectable shells become your new favorite family meal.

Ricotta-Stuffed Shells to Savor

• Create a Comforting Meal: Ricotta stuffed shells deliver a warm, cheesy embrace that feels like a hug from your favorite Italian grandmother, perfect for satisfying comfort food cravings.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or add extra vegetables to make this recipe your own, giving you flexibility to match your taste preferences or use what's in your kitchen.
• Master Simple Techniques: This recipe teaches basic cooking skills like mixing fillings, stuffing shells, and baking a complete dish, making it great for beginner cooks looking to expand their culinary repertoire.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dinner Solution: Guaranteed to make everyone at the table happy, these shells work wonderfully for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings where you want something deliciously impressive.

Ingredients for Ricotta Stuffed Shells

• Jumbo Shells: Large pasta shells perfect for stuffing with creamy cheese mixture.
• Ricotta Cheese: Soft Italian cheese that creates a rich and smooth filling.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides a classic stretchy and melty cheese topping.
• Marinara Sauce: Classic tomato-based sauce that adds moisture and flavor to the dish.

• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp and salty depth to the cheese mixture.
• Egg: Helps bind the cheese filling together and provides structure.

• Garlic, Oregano, Basil: Classic Italian herbs that enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and highlight the dish's taste.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds a bright, fresh touch to the finished dish.

Cooking Ricotta Stuffed Shells Made Easy

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C), getting it ready for some cheesy magic.

Step 2: Prepare Pasta Shells

Boil the jumbo shells in a pot of salted water following the package guidelines.

Once cooked, drain and set them aside to cool slightly.

Step 3: Create Creamy Filling

• Ricotta cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Egg
• Minced garlic
• Dried oregano
• Fresh basil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix everything until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Sauce the Baking Dish

Spread a generous layer of marinara sauce across the bottom of a baking dish, creating a flavorful foundation.

Step 5: Stuff the Shells

Carefully fill each pasta shell with the creamy ricotta mixture, nestling them snugly into the sauced baking dish.

Step 6: Top and Cover

Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top for extra gooey goodness.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

Then remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly with golden edges.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top and serve these mouthwatering shells while they’re warm and inviting.

Tips for Ricotta Stuffed Shells

• Use freshly grated parmesan for richer flavor and smoother texture in the cheese mixture.
• Drain ricotta thoroughly on paper towels to prevent watery filling and soggy shells.
• Cook shells just until al dente to avoid torn or mushy pasta during stuffing and baking.
• Add protein variations like cooked ground beef, turkey, or spinach to the ricotta mixture for extra nutrition.
• Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help shells set and make serving easier.

Flavor Twists for Stuffed Shells

• Vegan Tofu Shells: Replace ricotta with mashed tofu, nutritional yeast, and herbs for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta shells and ensure marinara sauce is gluten-free certified.
• Spinach Mushroom Variation: Add sautéed spinach and chopped mushrooms to the cheese mixture for extra nutrients and flavor.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Shell Alternative: Use hollowed zucchini boats instead of pasta shells, topped with marinara and cheese.

Pairing Ideas for Ricotta Shells

• Italian Family Feast: Serve these shells as the star of a hearty Sunday dinner with warm garlic bread and crisp Caesar salad.
• Weekend Potluck Superstar: Bring this crowd-pleasing dish to gatherings where everyone craves comfort food that feels like a warm hug.
• Date Night Delight: Create a romantic meal by pairing the shells with a light red wine and candlelit table, making an ordinary evening feel extra special.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare extra shells, store in individual containers, and enjoy delicious lunches throughout the week that taste just as amazing reheated.

Storing Ricotta Stuffed Shells Properly

• Refrigerate leftover stuffed shells in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring they are completely cooled before storing.
• Separate shells with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
• Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for maximum 2 months, protecting them from freezer burn by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap.
• Thaw frozen shells overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

FAQs

• Are jumbo shells the only pasta I can use for this recipe?

You can substitute jumbo shells with other large pasta shapes like conchiglioni or large macaroni shells that can hold the ricotta filling.

• Can I make the ricotta mixture ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the ricotta mixture up to 24 hours in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to stuff the shells.

• Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?

This recipe is already vegetarian. To make it vegan, you’ll need to replace ricotta with tofu and use dairy-free cheese alternatives.

• How can I prevent my shells from tearing when I stuff them?

Cook the pasta shells just until al dente and handle them gently when filling to prevent tearing. Let them cool slightly before stuffing for easier handling.

Easy Ricotta Stuffed Shells Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy ricotta stuffed shells bring Italian comfort to dinner tables with rich cheese and herb-infused pasta. Packed with flavor and simple ingredients, shells deliver a satisfying meal you’ll savor from first bite to last.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Shells:

• 20 jumbo pasta shells

Cheese Mixture:

• 2 cups (473 ml) ricotta cheese
• 1 cup (113 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (50 g) grated parmesan cheese
• 1 egg

Seasonings and Sauce:

• 2 cups (473 ml) marinara sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing a cozy environment for baking stuffed shells.
2. Boil jumbo pasta shells in salted water until tender, following package guidelines; drain and allow to cool slightly.
3. Create a creamy filling by whisking ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, egg, minced garlic, dried oregano, fresh basil, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl until smooth and well-incorporated.
4. Coat the bottom of a baking dish with a generous layer of marinara sauce, creating a flavorful foundation.
5. Carefully stuff each pasta shell with the ricotta mixture, nestling them snugly into the sauce-covered dish.
6. Drizzle remaining marinara sauce over the filled shells, ensuring complete coverage.
7. Sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese across the top, creating a melty, golden blanket.
8. Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and shells to heat through.
9. Remove foil and continue baking for 10 more minutes until cheese turns golden and sauce bubbles enticingly.
10. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve piping hot, straight from the oven.

Notes

• Ensure shells are cooked al dente to prevent them from becoming mushy during baking, maintaining a perfect texture.
• Use a piping bag or zip-lock bag with corner snipped off for neat and quick filling of shells, making the process cleaner and more efficient.
• For a gluten-free version, replace traditional pasta shells with zucchini boats or gluten-free pasta shells to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Add a protein boost by mixing ground chicken, turkey, or plant-based crumbles into the ricotta filling for a more substantial meal.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg