Description
Enjoy a healthy and delicious vegetarian dinner with these Easy Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells. Perfect for quick weeknight meals, this recipe features tender pasta shells filled with a creamy spinach and ricotta mixture, baked in savory marinara sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. A nutritious and satisfying vegetarian dish that’s ideal for families, students, or anyone seeking a meat-free dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 large pasta shells
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup marinara sauce (or your favorite pasta sauce)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the large pasta shells in boiling salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the garlic until fragrant. Add chopped spinach and cook until wilted.
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, sautéed spinach, salt, and pepper to create the filling.
- Carefully stuff each cooked shell with the cheese and spinach mixture, then place in a baking dish coated with marinara sauce.
- Pour remaining marinara sauce evenly over the shells and cover with foil.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes. Remove foil during the last 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
Notes
- Make sure not to overstuff the shells to prevent tearing.
- For a vegan version, substitute cheese with vegan alternatives and use plant-based mozzarella.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in microwave or oven; these shells freeze well for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 shell (about 4 servings total)
- Calories: 350 Kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg