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Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Shells

Enjoy a comforting and delicious dish of Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Shells, perfect for busy weeknights and even picky eaters.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Stuffed Shells
  • 20 pieces jumbo pasta shells
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided Reserve half for topping
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
  • 1 piece egg
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • to taste Salt and pepper
For the Sauce
  • 2 cups marinara sauce Store-bought or homemade
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the jumbo shells and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
Preparing the Filling
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan, chopped spinach, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
Stuffing the Shells
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Stuff each shell with the cheese mixture.
Assembling the Dish
  1. In a 9x13 baking dish, pour a small amount of marinara sauce in the bottom. Place stuffed shells in the dish, open-side up. Top with remaining sauce and sprinkle rest of mozzarella on top.
Baking
  1. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
Serving
  1. Let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Plate and enjoy with a salad or a glass of wine.

Notes

For variations, substitute marinara with Alfredo sauce, or add cooked sausage or chicken for extra protein. These can be assembled ahead of time and frozen before baking.