Large pasta shells filled with a creamy, flavorful ricotta cheese mixture, topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella, then baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients:
- For the Filling:
- 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese (reserve the rest for topping)
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Rest:
- 1 (12 ounce) box large pasta shells
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
- Cook the Pasta:
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Cook the pasta shells according to package directions, until al dente (slightly firm to the bite).
- Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
- Lay the shells out on a cookie sheet so that they do not stick together.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, egg, parsley, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Stuff the Shells:
- Spoon the cheese filling into each cooked pasta shell, filling them generously.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Pour a thin layer of marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Arrange the stuffed shells in the baking dish, seam-side up.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are well covered.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is heated through.
- Cool and Serve:
- Let the stuffed shells cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve warm.
Optional additions:
- Browned Italian sausage or cooked ground beef can be added to the filling or layered with the sauce.
- Spinach, either fresh or frozen (and drained), can be added to the ricotta mixture.
- A layer of bechamel sauce can be added ontop of the marinara before the final layer of mozzarella.
Enjoy your delicious stuffed cheese shells!