Stuffed Shells
Stuffed shells are the kind of dish that just hugs you from the inside out. Imagine those large, ridged pasta shells, perfectly holding a rich, creamy filling of ricotta cheese, fresh spinach, and a hint of herbs. It’s like each shell is a little edible pillow, cradling a cozy, cheesy surprise. The whole thing gets nestled in a blanket of zesty marinara sauce, then baked until the top is golden and bubbly—just the right amount of crispy, while the insides stay gooey and melt-in-your-mouth tender. If you like this recipe, try out my Spicy Rigatoni Vodka Pasta next!
It’s a dish that feels like a celebration in every bite, whether you’re enjoying it on a cozy family night or serving it up at a holiday dinner. And the best part? You can customize it to your heart’s desire—add some meat, sprinkle on more cheese, or throw in a few extra spices. Stuffed shells are comfort food at its finest, where every bite is both satisfying and soul-warming.
Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients that come together to create that creamy, flavorful bite:
The filling of stuffed shells is what makes this dish truly irresistible.
- Ricotta Cheese: The star of the filling, ricotta adds a smooth, slightly grainy texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It’s rich but not overwhelming, providing the perfect base for the other ingredients.
- Spinach: Typically either fresh or frozen, spinach adds a vibrant green color and a mild, slightly earthy flavor that balances out the richness of the cheese. It also adds a nice pop of nutrition!
- Mozzarella Cheese: Often mixed into the ricotta, mozzarella brings a melty, gooey texture and a mild, creamy flavor that adds to the overall richness of the dish.
- Parmesan or Pecorino Romano: These hard, salty cheeses are usually grated and stirred into the mix. They add a savory, slightly tangy kick that deepens the flavor of the filling.
- Egg: The egg acts as a binder, holding the filling together and giving it structure so it doesn’t just fall apart when baked. It also adds a subtle richness.
- Garlic: Fresh or powdered, garlic adds a savory depth of flavor, giving the filling a bit of a kick without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Herbs: Often a mix of fresh or dried basil, oregano, and sometimes parsley, these herbs give the filling a fragrant, earthy note, enhancing the overall flavor profile and giving it that familiar Italian taste.
- Salt and Pepper: These simple seasonings are key to bringing out all the flavors in the filling. Salt helps to highlight the creaminess of the ricotta and mozzarella, while pepper adds a little warmth and depth.
Each of these ingredients comes together to create a filling that’s rich, creamy, and full of flavor, perfectly complementing the marinara sauce and pasta shells.
Stuffed Shells
Ingredients
- 1 box jumbo shells
- 1 jar tomato sauce of your choice
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 medium sized onion finely diced
- 5 basil leaves chiffonade
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 pint ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 8 oz spinach cooked
- 4 tbsp salt and pepper divided
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- ½ tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- ½ cup parmesan
- ½ cup mozzarella
- 2 tbsp oil
- basil to garnish
Instructions
- To a pot of boiling water, boil shells until just beneath al dente. This should take 6 minutes.
- To a skillet on medium-high heat, add in oil and cook sausage until browned. Follow with onion and garlic. Remove ¼ of sausage and set aside.
- Add tomato sauce and basil to sausage and lower your heat to a simmer. Add half of the salt and pepper
- To a separate bowl, combine remaining sausage, ricotta, egg, spinach, remaining salt and pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flake, and oregano. Mix well.
- Fill each shell with the ricotta mixture.
- In a baking dish, ladle tomato sauce in the bottom of the pan to cover the base. Place shells on top of tomato sauce. Top shells with more tomato sauce and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove from oven, garnish with basil, and serve immediately.
