Best Stuffed Shell – Delicious Recipe Ever:- Due to the fact that they are so rich, filled shells are a traditional Italian-American lunch that brings a sense of comfort to the table. The filling is creamy and cheesy, and the tomato sauce is thick. This meal is not only satisfying but also requires a reasonable amount of effort to prepare, which makes it a perfect option for dinners with the family or other types of gatherings.
Best Stuffed Shell – Delicious Recipe Ever
A delightful mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, mixed with spinach and Italian herbs, is stuffed into big pasta shells, and then the shells are baked in marinara sauce until they are bubbling and golden.
Ingredients
For the Shells
- 1 package (12 ounces) jumbo pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Filling
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped (or 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
For the Sauce
- 4 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
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Instructions
Put the oven on to a temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) before beginning. Put the Shells in order. The huge pasta shells should be prepared in accordance with the directions that are printed on the packaging by cooking them in a large pot of salted boiling water until they reach the al dente stage.
The liquid should be drained, and then olive oil should be sprinkled on top of it to prevent binding. Hold off until it has cooled off. In order to put together the filling, you will need to combine the following ingredients in a large mixing dish that contains all of the ingredients: ricotta cheese, one cup of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, an egg that has been beaten, chopped spinach, minced garlic, basil, parsley, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
After combining everything carefully, mix it. After the pasta has been cooked, proceed with the filling of the shells by following the instructions provided and stuffing each shell with the cheese and spinach mixture. Make sure that each shell is thoroughly filled with food by using a spoon to complete the process.
In order to put together the dish, ensure that the bottom of a baking dish that is 9 inches by 13 inches is covered with two cups of marinara sauce. The stuffed shells should be arranged on top of the sauce in a single layer, and then they should be placed on top after that. After pouring the remaining marinara sauce over the shells, the remaining half cup of mozzarella cheese should be placed on top of the shells before to serving.
The dish should be prepared for baking by first being covered with aluminum foil and then being placed in an oven that has been preheated for thirty minutes throughout the preparation process. Take off the aluminum foil and continue baking for another ten to fifteen minutes, or until the cheese has melted and begun to bubble until it reaches the desired consistency.
It is recommended that shells that have been stuffed be allowed to cool for a few minutes before being served. You can garnish the dish with more chopped parsley or basil, depending on your personal choice.
Nutrition
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Dietary Fiber: 3 g
- Sugars: 6 g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
- Sodium: 900 mg
Tips
Following the completion of the preparation of the stuffed shells up until the point where they are ready to be baked, cover them and leave them in the refrigerator for a period of up to twenty-four hours. Bake the dish once you are ready to serve it. Stuffed shells can be frozen before being baked, which is an option when it comes to saving for later use.
After placing them in a dish that can be kept in the freezer, cover them tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and then place them in the freezer for a period of up to three months. Take the frozen food out of the refrigerator and allow it to thaw for a full night before baking it.
In order to make the filling more meaty, you can modify it by adding cooked ground beef or Italian sausage. This is one example of a variation. To make the recipe suitable for vegetarians, you could want to consider including sautéed mushrooms or zucchini in the serving.
To get the most flavorful results possible, either make your own marinara sauce or utilize a marinara sauce that is of particularly good quality. To make a dish that is creamier, you could also try experimenting with Alfredo sauce or a combination of marinara and Alfredo sauce. Both of these flavors would be delicious.
