Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the first step toward creating something delicious. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
If you’re missing an ingredient, don’t worry! You can substitute kale for spinach or use cottage cheese in place of ricotta for a slightly different texture.
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps that will lead you to a delicious meal:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little olive oil or cooking spray.
- Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, half of the mozzarella cheese, half of the Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian herbs, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Spread 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Fill each cooked pasta shell with the ricotta mixture, using about 2 tablespoons per shell. Arrange the filled shells in the baking dish, open side up.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells, making sure they’re well covered. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy the comforting flavors and textures that remind me of family gatherings around the dinner table.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International