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Comforting Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Cheese

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A quick and easy stuffed shells recipe featuring creamy ricotta cheese filling, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella, perfect for family meals and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 20 jumbo pasta shells
  • 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente but still firm. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside on a clean kitchen towel to dry slightly.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, and chopped fresh parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently until just mixed.
  4. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil. Spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom.
  5. Stuff each shell generously with the ricotta mixture and place them open side up in the baking dish on top of the sauce.
  6. Cover the shells with the remaining 2 cups of marinara sauce, coating each shell but not submerging them.
  7. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
  8. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
  9. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta shells to prevent tearing. Rinse shells under cold water after boiling to prevent sticking. Avoid overfilling shells to prevent bursting during baking. Use whole milk ricotta for creamier filling. If ricotta is too wet, drain before mixing. Cover with foil if cheese browns too quickly.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed shells, ricotta cheese, family meals, easy recipe, comfort food, pasta, baked pasta, marinara sauce

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/comforting-stuffed-shells-with-creamy-ricotta-cheese-easy-recipe-for-family-meals/