Ingredients
- 18 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound mushrooms, finely chopped (button, cremini, or a mix)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
If you’re out of ricotta, cottage cheese makes a great substitute. For a vegan twist, swap the dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped mushrooms and cook until they’re soft and all the liquid has evaporated, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic to the mushrooms and sauté for another minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked mushrooms, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Stuff each pasta shell with the mushroom and cheese mixture and place them in a baking dish.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, add the nutmeg, and season with salt and pepper. Continue to stir until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Pour the creamy garlic sauce over the stuffed shells and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Pro tip: If you’re feeling adventurous, add a dash of chili flakes for a touch of heat—something my abuela would often do when she wanted to spice things up!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International