Ingredients
- 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Feel free to swap the ricotta for cottage cheese if you prefer, or add some red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. Cooking, after all, is about making each dish your own.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
- Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the chopped artichoke hearts and remove from heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cream cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella, 1/4 cup of Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Fold the spinach and artichoke mixture into the cheese mixture until evenly combined. This filling is where the magic happens, reminiscent of the flavors I adored growing up.
- Spoon marinara sauce into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Carefully stuff each pasta shell with the creamy spinach artichoke filling and arrange in the baking dish.
- Top the stuffed shells with the remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- 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 it cool slightly before serving, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International