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Easy Stuffed Shells Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 62 reviews

This Easy Stuffed Shells recipe features tender jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy mixture of whipped cottage cheese, Parmesan, and fresh herbs, baked in a rich marinara sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. It’s a comforting Italian-inspired baked pasta dish perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt (for boiling pasta)

Cheese Filling

  • 30 ounces whipped cottage cheese (or ricotta cheese)
  • 6 ounces Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 to 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (minced)
  • ¾ cup fresh basil leaves (finely chopped, about 8 to 10 leaves)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Sauce and Topping

  • 28 ounces marinara sauce
  • 8 ounces mozzarella cheese (grated)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the stuffed shells.
  2. Prepare Baking Dish: Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread half of the marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of the dish and set aside.
  3. Cook Pasta Shells: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, adding 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Cook the jumbo pasta shells until they are about 3 minutes shy of al dente, following package directions to avoid overcooking.
  4. Drain and Cool Pasta: Drain the shells and rinse them with cool water to stop cooking and make them easier to handle. Set aside.
  5. Make Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, combine whipped cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, minced fresh parsley, chopped fresh basil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
  6. Stuff Shells: Spoon the cheese mixture into each pasta shell carefully, filling them generously but without breaking. Place each filled shell in the prepared baking dish, nestling them gently into the marinara sauce.
  7. Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells to cover them. Sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the dish.
  8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the dish is hot, bubbly, and the mozzarella cheese has melted and started to brown slightly.
  9. Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately while warm and comforting.

Notes

  • You can substitute ricotta cheese for whipped cottage cheese if preferred.
  • Make sure not to overcook the pasta shells; slightly undercooked shells will finish cooking in the oven and hold their shape better.
  • Fresh herbs like parsley and basil lend a vibrant flavor, but dried herbs can be used in a pinch—reduce quantities accordingly.
  • This dish can be prepared ahead of time, assembled, and refrigerated before baking. Add extra baking time if baking from cold.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.

Keywords: stuffed shells, baked pasta, Italian recipe, cottage cheese, marinara, mozzarella, easy dinner

Find it online: https://thedishspot.com/easy-stuffed-shells-recipe/