Description
Discover the ultimate Easy Stuffed Shells recipe, a fast and family‑friendly Italian dinner that combines jumbo pasta shells with a velvety ricotta‑mozzarella filling, fresh basil, and a rich marinara sauce. This step‑by‑step guide shows how to achieve perfectly cooked shells, a creamy cheese center, and a golden bubbly top in under an hour. Idea for busy weeknights, the dish offers comforting flavors, simple ingredients, and a satisfying cheesy texture that will please both kids and adults alik
Ingredients
- jumbo pasta shells
- ricotta cheese
- mozzarella cheese shredded
- parmesan cheese grated
- marinara sauce
- fresh basil chopped
- garlic minced
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook jumbo pasta shells al dente, drain and set aside.
- In a bowl combine ricotta, half of mozzarella, parmesan, garlic, salt, pepper, and basil; mix until smooth.
- Stuff each shell with cheese mixture and place in a baking dish.
- Pour marinara over shells, sprinkle remaining mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10‑15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Rest 5‑10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier version
- add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling. Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave. Use gluten‑free shells for a gluten‑free option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Easy Stuffed Shells, stuffed shells recipe, cheesy pasta bake, quick dinner ideas, Italian pasta dishes, family friendly meals, easy pasta recipes, weeknight dinner ideas