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Stuffed Shells

Baking dish filled with cheesy stuffed shells topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella, garnished with fresh parsley.
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These cheesy stuffed shells are filled with a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan, then baked in rich marinara sauce. An easy, comforting Italian-inspired dish perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or freezing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked to package instructions
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp salt, divided
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 1/4 tsp dried oregano
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/4 cup parsley, plus more to garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta shells in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and place in cold water to prevent sticking.
  2. In a pan, sauté chopped onion in olive oil over medium-high heat until softened. Add garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and oregano. Cook for 1 minute.
  3. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 2 minutes. Pour into the base of a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
  4. In a large bowl, combine ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella, parmesan, egg, parsley, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Mix well.
  5. Fill each pasta shell with the cheese mixture using a spoon or scoop, then place them over the sauce in the dish.
  6. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of mozzarella over the top of the shells.
  7. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and broil for 2–4 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
  8. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Notes

  • Cook extra shells in case some tear during boiling.
  • You can freeze the dish before or after baking for up to 3 months.
  • Substitute ricotta with well-drained cottage cheese if preferred.
  • Reheat leftovers covered with foil in the oven or microwave with a splash of water.
  • Homemade marinara adds deeper flavor but high-quality jarred sauce also works well.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipeeasily.com/stuffed-shells-dinner-recipe/