Baked stuffed shells are a beloved Italian-American dish that combines tender pasta shells with a rich and flavorful filling, all topped with melted cheese and marinara sauce. This hearty, comforting meal is perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or any time you’re craving a satisfying dish full of savory goodness. The combination of cheese, pasta, and marinara sauce makes it a timeless favorite that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
The star of baked stuffed shells is the large pasta shells, which are carefully filled with a creamy ricotta cheese mixture. The ricotta is typically combined with other cheeses like mozzarella and Parmesan, along with a blend of herbs and spices such as garlic, basil, and oregano. This mixture creates a rich, flavorful filling that complements the soft pasta shells perfectly.
Once the shells are stuffed, they’re arranged in a baking dish and smothered with marinara sauce. The sauce adds a tangy, slightly sweet contrast to the rich cheese filling and helps to keep the pasta shells moist during baking. A generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top creates a golden, bubbly crust as the dish bakes in the oven.
Baked stuffed shells are a versatile dish that can be easily customized to suit your tastes. You can add ground beef, sausage, or vegetables to the filling for added flavor and texture. For a lighter version, you can use a combination of spinach and ricotta to create a vegetarian option that’s just as satisfying.
This dish is perfect for serving with a side of garlic bread and a simple salad, making it a complete meal that’s both comforting and indulgent. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or enjoying a cozy dinner at home, baked stuffed shells are sure to be a hit.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells about 20 shells
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded, plus more for topping
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 2 cups marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, salt, pepper, and parsley.
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Fill each cooked shell with the ricotta mixture and place in the baking dish, seam side up.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells and sprinkle with additional mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with additional parsley before serving, if desired.