Looking for comforting dinner recipe ideas that the whole family will love? These Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Pasta Shells are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, combining tender pasta with a creamy, herb-filled ricotta mixture. It is a quick, vegetarian-friendly meal that is perfect for busy parents or anyone needing a hearty dish on the table without hours of prep
Quick Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- Pasta: 1 box (12 oz) jumbo pasta shells
- Sauce: 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce (or your favorite homemade red sauce)
- Cheese Filling:
- 15 oz ricotta cheese (whole milk preferred for creaminess)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (divided)
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Spinach: 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed very dry (or fresh spinach sautéed and chopped)
- Binder & Seasoning:
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
(Note: All ingredients listed are naturally Halal-friendly. Ensure your cheeses use vegetable or microbial rennet if strict adherence is required.)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray and spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce across the bottom.
- Boil Pasta: Cook the jumbo shells in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions for al dente (usually about 9 minutes). Drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking so they don’t stick together.
- Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella, parmesan cheese, squeezed spinach, beaten egg, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Stuff the Shells: Spoon about 1-2 generous tablespoons of the cheese mixture into each cooked shell. Place them open-side up into the baking dish, packing them snugly together.
- Top & Bake: Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top. Cover the dish with foil.
- Bake: Bake covered for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden brown.
- Serve: Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
Tips, Variations & Storage
- Make-Ahead Advice: You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance. Cover tightly and store in the fridge. When ready to eat, just bake it (you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it’s starting cold).
- Protein Boost: To add more protein, mix in cooked ground beef or turkey (Halal) into the sauce, or add cooked shredded chicken to the cheese mixture.
- Spinach Tip: Moisture is the enemy! Make sure you squeeze the frozen spinach in a clean kitchen towel until it is completely dry to prevent watery shells.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: This meal freezes beautifully. Assemble it in a foil pan, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 375°F for about 60 minutes.
FAQ
Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen? Yes! Use about 1 lb of fresh spinach. Sauté it quickly until wilted, let it cool, chop it up, and squeeze out any excess liquid before mixing it with the cheese.
Why are my stuffed shells watery? This usually happens if the spinach wasn’t drained enough or if the pasta was overcooked. Always cook pasta to al dente and squeeze that spinach tight!
What goes well with stuffed shells? A simple green salad with vinaigrette and some garlic bread are the perfect sides to turn this into a full meal.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 22g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fat: 18g
(Note: Nutritional values are estimates based on standard ingredients.)
Conclusion
This Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Pasta Shells recipe is simple, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights when you need satisfying recipe ideas. Give it a try and let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
