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Creamy Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells Recipe Easy Dinner Idea

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A comforting dish featuring jumbo pasta shells stuffed with creamy ricotta and spinach, topped with marinara sauce and gooey melted cheese. Perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Jumbo pasta shells
  • 2 cups (500g) ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup (50g) grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup (150g) thawed and well-drained frozen spinach
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup (240ml) marinara sauce
  • Fresh basil (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a drizzle of olive oil.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, prepare the filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, grated parmesan cheese, thawed and well-drained frozen spinach, egg, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
  4. Spread marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of the greased baking dish.
  5. Using a small spoon (or your fingers), stuff each cooked pasta shell with 1-2 tablespoons of the ricotta-spinach mixture. Arrange the stuffed shells in the baking dish in a single layer.
  6. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are well covered. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese and grated parmesan cheese on top.
  7. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  8. Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh basil if desired.

Notes

[‘Cook the pasta shells until al dente to prevent them from becoming too soft.’, ‘Drain the spinach thoroughly to avoid a runny filling.’, ‘Use high-quality marinara sauce for better flavor.’, ‘Customize the cheese for sharper or different flavors.’, ‘You can assemble the dish ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed shells, ricotta, spinach, pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, Italian recipe

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/creamy-spinach-ricotta-stuffed-shells-recipe-easy-dinner-idea/