Best Christmas Stuffed Shells Recipe
Experience the warmth of the holiday season with this Best Christmas Stuffed Shells Recipe. Each jumbo pasta shell is filled with a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and fresh spinach, all enveloped in savory marinara sauce. Baked to perfection, these stuffed shells are not only a hearty meal but also a comforting reminder of family gatherings and festive cheer. Perfect for holiday celebrations, this dish promises to delight your taste buds and create lasting memories around the table.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: Serves 4 (8 stuffed shells per serving) 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 large pasta shells
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups fresh spinach (lightly sautéed)
- 1 large egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Boil salted water in a large pot. Cook pasta shells until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and cool slightly.
- In a skillet, drizzle olive oil and sauté spinach until wilted, approximately 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and chop finely.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, sautéed spinach, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning; mix well.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Stuff each shell with two tablespoons of the filling and place seam-side up in the dish.
- Pour remaining marinara sauce over stuffed shells and sprinkle leftover mozzarella on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes; remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 stuffed shells (200g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 80mg