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Baked Ricotta and Spinach Stuffed Shells in a white rectangular dish, topped with melted cheese and garnished with fresh basil leaves, with a rustic textured background and a light-colored napkin.

Ricotta and Spinach Stuffed Shells

Creamy, cheesy, and comforting stuffed pasta shells filled with fresh spinach, ricotta, and melty mozzarella — a cozy weeknight classic.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Entree, Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 535
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 20 –25 jumbo pasta shells uncooked
  • 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil for sautéing spinach
  • 2 cloves garlic minced, fresh
  • 1 jar 24 oz. marinara sauce (or 1 ¼ cups homemade)
  • 16 oz Italian sausage spicy, optional, cooked and crumbled
  • 15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese for filling
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella for filling
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for topping
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder for seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach chopped and patted dry
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the jumbo shells until al dente, about 8–9 minutes. Drain and place on parchment to cool.
  2. If using Italian sausage, cook in a pan until browned, then set aside in a bowl.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds. Add minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add chopped spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted and bright green. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, wilted spinach, beaten egg, mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  6. Spread ½ cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  7. Stuff each pasta shell with about 1 heaping tablespoon of the spinach-ricotta mixture. Place shells in the baking dish. If using cooked sausage, add a layer of sausage inside each shell before the cheese mixture.
  8. Cover shells with remaining marinara sauce. Cover dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. bake
  9. Remove foil, sprinkle additional mozzarella on top, and bake uncovered for 5–10 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly golden. finish
  10. Serve warm with extra grated Parmesan on top.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 ServingCalories: 535kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 27gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 604mgPotassium: 440mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 362mgIron: 2mg

Notes

These stuffed shells are creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly comforting. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, the combination of fresh spinach, ricotta, and melted mozzarella makes every bite heavenly. Optional sausage adds a savory depth for meat lovers.

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