Comfort food often brings us back to the simple joys of life. One dish that perfectly captures this feeling is jumbo stuffed pasta shells. These shells are large and tender, ready to be filled with a rich and creamy mixture that melts in your mouth.
The beauty of this recipe lies in how easy it is to prepare. With just a handful of ingredients and a little time, you can create a meal that tastes like it took hours to make. The combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese creates a velvety texture inside the pasta, while the spinach adds a fresh touch.
When baked under a layer of marinara sauce, the flavors meld together beautifully. This dish is ideal for weeknight dinners, meal prepping for the week ahead, or even for feeding a hungry crowd at a gathering. It brings a sense of warmth and satisfaction that few dishes can match.
The process is straightforward and beginner friendly. Cooking the pasta shells to the right tenderness without letting them break apart is key. Once the shells are ready, stuffing them with the cheese and spinach mixture takes just a few minutes.
Covering them in sauce before baking helps keep the pasta moist and adds a burst of flavor. The aroma that fills the kitchen as the shells bake is enough to make anyone hungry. These stuffed shells also freeze well, so you can make a batch in advance and have dinner ready in a snap on busy days.
The best part is the flexibility of this recipe. It can be easily customized with different fillings or sauces to suit your tastes or dietary needs. Whether you serve it with a simple salad or crusty bread, this dish never fails to impress.
Ingredients Needed
To make jumbo stuffed pasta shells that are both flavorful and satisfying, it is important to have the right ingredients on hand. Start with jumbo pasta shells, which are specifically designed to hold generous amounts of filling.
Ricotta cheese provides a creamy and mild base, while shredded mozzarella adds gooey richness. Grated Parmesan cheese brings a sharp and nutty taste that balances the other cheeses perfectly. Fresh spinach is a great addition that not only adds color but also nutrition.
Marinara sauce forms the flavorful bed in which the stuffed shells bake, keeping everything moist and adding a classic Italian touch. Garlic powder and onion powder help enhance the taste without overpowering the dish. Salt and black pepper season the filling to bring out all the flavors.
The quantities of ingredients listed here will make enough to serve four to six people comfortably. The calorie count given for each ingredient is approximate and can help you manage your meal plan or dietary goals.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Calories (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Jumbo pasta shells | 20 shells | 700 |
| Ricotta cheese | 1 cup | 430 |
| Shredded mozzarella | 1 cup | 320 |
| Grated Parmesan | 1/4 cup | 110 |
| Fresh spinach | 1 cup, chopped | 7 |
| Marinara sauce | 2 cups | 160 |
| Garlic powder | 1 teaspoon | 10 |
| Onion powder | 1 teaspoon | 8 |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon | 0 |
| Black pepper | 1/4 teaspoon | 2 |
Read More: Quick and Easy Stuffed Shells Recipe
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. The salt is important because it seasons the pasta shells as they cook. Once the water is boiling, add the jumbo pasta shells.
Cook them until they are al dente which means they should be tender but still hold their shape well. Overcooked shells can tear when stuffed so keep a close eye on the time. After cooking, drain the shells and rinse briefly with cold water to stop the cooking process.
Set them aside on a clean kitchen towel or baking sheet to cool slightly. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and chopped fresh spinach.
Sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything gently until the ingredients are well incorporated. The filling should be creamy and smooth with bits of spinach throughout. If the mixture feels too thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of marinara sauce to loosen it.
Next, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spread about half a cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. This prevents the shells from sticking and adds flavor.
Carefully stuff each pasta shell with the cheese and spinach mixture using a spoon or your fingers. Place the stuffed shells upright in the baking dish, fitting them snugly but without overcrowding.
Once all the shells are filled and arranged, pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the top. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Baking covered allows the shells to heat through without drying out. After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes or until the cheese topping becomes bubbly and slightly golden.
Let the dish rest for five minutes before serving. This short resting time helps the filling set and makes the shells easier to handle.
Read More: Easy Stuffed Shells With Meat
Tips for Customizing the Recipe
This basic stuffed shell recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily tailor it to suit different tastes and dietary preferences.
For those who enjoy meat, cooked ground beef, Italian sausage, or shredded chicken can be added to the cheese mixture for extra protein and flavor. Vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, or roasted red peppers also make excellent additions.
To make the dish more vibrant, fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or oregano can be folded into the filling.
Cheese lovers might want to experiment by adding provolone, fontina, or even goat cheese to change the flavor profile. For a dairy free version, use plant based cheese substitutes and a dairy free ricotta alternative.
If you prefer a spicier dish, adding crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce into the filling or sauce gives a nice kick.
Another way to switch things up is by using a white sauce like Alfredo instead of marinara for a creamy twist.
If you want to save time, you can prepare the filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to stuff the shells. You can also assemble the dish completely and freeze it before baking.
When ready to eat, bake it covered straight from the freezer adding extra baking time as needed.
Nutritional Information
Jumbo stuffed pasta shells provide a well rounded meal with a good balance of macronutrients.
The combination of cheese and pasta delivers protein and carbohydrates which are important for energy and muscle repair.
Spinach adds vitamins A, C, and K along with fiber to support digestion and overall health.
The tomato based marinara sauce brings antioxidants such as lycopene.
One serving of this dish, roughly four stuffed shells, contains around 400 to 450 calories depending on exact ingredient quantities and portion size.
It is relatively moderate in fat with plenty of protein to keep you full.
Using part skim ricotta and reduced fat mozzarella can lower the calorie count if desired.
Overall, this dish is satisfying without being overly heavy or greasy.
Serving Suggestions
Stuffed pasta shells are very adaptable when it comes to serving options.
A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is a great complement that adds freshness and crunch to the meal.
Warm garlic bread or a crusty baguette pairs beautifully with the cheesy shells and helps soak up the extra sauce.
Roasted or steamed vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, or carrots add color and nutrients while balancing the richness of the dish.
For a full Italian inspired meal, a glass of red wine like Chianti or Merlot enhances the flavors and creates a special dining experience.
For a family friendly option, sparkling water with a slice of lemon is a refreshing choice.
Read More: Easy Creamy and Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Conclusion
Easy jumbo stuffed pasta shells are a wonderful way to enjoy a classic Italian comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen.
The creamy cheese filling combined with tender pasta and rich marinara sauce creates a meal that feels both indulgent and nourishing.
This recipe is straightforward enough for cooks of all levels and flexible enough to accommodate a variety of tastes and dietary needs.
Whether you are cooking for your family, hosting friends, or prepping meals for busy days, stuffed shells provide warmth and satisfaction in every bite.
Give this recipe a try and discover how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly special.