Italian Stuffed Shells: Easy, Cheesy, Comfort Food Recipe
Italian Stuffed Shells are large pasta shells filled with a flavorful mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and herbs, baked in marinara sauce until bubbly and golden. This comforting Italian-American dish makes a perfect hearty dinner for family and friends.
Ingredients
- 20 large pasta shells
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook pasta shells according to package instructions; drain and cool.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Spread 1 cup marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
- Stuff each pasta shell with cheese mixture and place in the baking dish.
- Pour remaining marinara sauce over shells and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes; uncover and bake 5 more minutes until bubbly and cheese is golden.
Notes
Use no-boil jumbo pasta shells for easier preparation. Fresh herbs can be substituted with dried if needed. Leftovers keep well for 2-3 days refrigerated.