These creamy, saucy, jumbo stuffed shells with ricotta cheese make for a satisfying and fun dinner. Simple to make, full of robust flavor, and oozing with melted cheese, it's the perfect meal to keep in rotation!
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Add the pasta shells to a pot of salted, boiling water and cook for two minutes short of al dente according to package instructions. (i.e., If the directions say to cook for 12 minutes, then cook for 10 minutes instead.) Drain and let cool slightly so they can be handled without burning your hands.
Meanwhile, mix the ricotta, ¾ cup of the shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, minced garlic, spinach, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Carefully stuff each pasta shell with the ricotta mixture. You can use a spoon, a Ziplock bag with a hole cut in the bottom corner like a piping bag, or a piping bag if you have one.
Pour the marinara into an 8 inch by 11 inch or 9 inch by 13 inch casserole dish or a large skillet, spreading evenly. Filling the dish too full may cause bubbling over in the oven, so just keep it 1 - 2 inches below the rim.
Lay the stuffed shells seam-side up in the sauce. Once all of the shells are in the dish, sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup of mozzarella over the top.
Cover the pan with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and broil for 2 - 3 minutes or until golden brown on top. Let cool for about 5 - 10 minutes, top with fresh basil, and enjoy!
Notes
Please double-check amounts when using the multiplying feature in the recipe card. If making homemade marinara, prepare it ahead of time, as it can take an hour or so to simmer.Ricotta often has a shallow layer of water on the top when you open it. Strain this off before making the cheese mixture.Don’t overcook the pasta before stuffing the shells, as you don’t want them to fall apart. They’ll finish cooking in the oven in the sauce.A piping bag is helpful for more quickly and neatly filling the shells.Fresh chopped spinach can be used as a substitute for frozen spinach.