Ricotta Stuffed Shells Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

Comfort in a baking dish… ourRicotta Stuffed Shells Recipeis the perfectback to schooldinner, and also great forcozy holiday meals! Plus, crockpot instructions.

Jumbo Stuffed Shells

Are you looking for a pasta dish that always brings a smile to the faces of children and grownups alike? Something that is classic and comforting, the perfect meal to endanysort of day??

Ricotta Stuffed Shells Recipe with Marinara. BOOM.

Stuffed Shells are simple. Completely void of elegance. Yet this humble dish delivers a big impact on the dinner table!

Ricotta Stuffed Shells Recipe

This Ricotta Stuffed Shells Recipe is creamy, cheesy, savory, and offers a touch of spice.

I’d bet money even your pickiest eaters will ask for seconds.

Plus, ourEasy Ricotta Stuffed Shells Recipeis quick to make. My kids love to chip in and fill the pasta shells for me as I whip upfresh marinara sauce.

But don’t worry… In a pinch, you can definitely use yourfavorite jarred marinara sauce.

Ingredients for Ricotta Stuffed Shells

• Jumbo pasta shells– Jumbo shells can be filled properly
• Homemade marinara– Or store-bought, like Rao filled with Italian seasoning!
• Ricotta cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Egg
• Italian parsley
• Fresh rosemary– In a pinch, you can use dried rosemary.
• Nutmeg
• Crushed red pepper
• Salt and black pepper

How To Make Stuffed Shells

Making Ricotta Stuffed Shells isso easy. Even your non-cooking spouse could do it!

1. Simplyboil(or soak) the dried pasta shells by package instructions.
2. Mixthe ricotta filling in a large bowl.
3. Scoopthe ricotta filling into the shells.
4. Place the shells in abaking dish/casserole dish.
5. Smotherthe shells with marinara sauce and shredded cheese.
6. Bake!

Get The Full (Printable) Easy Stuffed Shells Recipe Below

No-Boil Stuffed Shells Recipe

Do you have to boil the pasta before baking it?

Not exactly… Boiling the pasta is thequickest methodto ensure the pasta, filling, and sauce come out perfectly.

However, if your oven takes a bit of time to preheat, you cansoak the pastain very hot tap water, instead of boiling it. Fill a bowl with hot salted tap water and let the pasta soak for 20-25 minutes while the oven preheats and you make the cheese filling. Then drain the pasta shells before filling.

Baked Dried?Some old lasagna and baked pasta recipes suggest you can skip boiling (or soaking) the pasta altogether, by adding 1 cup of water to the baking dish with dried pasta.

I don’t recommend trying this with stuffed shells. The water will cause the filling to leak out and turn runny before it is fully absorbed.

Easy Stuffed Shells In The Crockpot

Believe it or not, you can make this amazingStuffed Shells Recipe in a Slow Cooker!

To makeCrockpot Stuffed Shells, you do need to boil or soak the pasta as directed. Then stuff the shells, place them in a large slow cooker, and cover them with marinara and cheese.

Set the slow cooker onlow, and cook for5-7 hours.

Step by Step Instructions to Make Classic Stuffed Shells

1. Lightly oil or spray a 9 X 13-inch baking pan and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Partially cook pasta shells in water, 4-6 minutes. Strain the shells and lay them in the pan. (See no-boil instructions in notes.)
3. Mix the ricotta, parmesan, egg, parsley, rosemary, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and crushed red pepper together in a medium bowl. Fill each shell with 1-2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture.
4. Spoon the sauce on and around the shells. Top with mozzarella cheese. Cover the pan tightly with foil. Bake until bubbly and golden, about 25 minutes. If you want the cheesy top golden, take the foil off the last 3-5 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your cheesy stuffed shells on their own or with a plethora of sides, especially if you’re feeding a crowd! Here are some of my favorites to pair with vegetarian stuffed shells:

• Garlic Bread
• Caesar Salad
• Cheesy Pull Apart Bread
• Breadsticks
• 15 Bean Salad

Tips & Tricks

• Add some spinach! You can add chopped spinach for spinach ricotta stuffed shells!
• Use your favorite store-bought pasta sauce, or make your own homemade marinara!
• Don’t skimp on the cheese! The beauty of these shells is the combination of three cheeses that adds so much flavor!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Freeze Stuffed Shells?

This Ricotta Stuffed Shells Recipe iseasy to freeze. Try making a double or triple batch. Then wrap the pans and put them in the freezer (unbaked) for another night. You’ll be so glad you did!

When you are ready to use them, you can thaw and bake each dish for 25-30 minutes, or place thefrozendish in the oven and bake for50-60 minutes. Ricotta Stuffed Shells for the win!

How Long Do Leftovers Last?

You can store leftovers in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for 3 to 5 days.

Do I Have To Use Marinara Sauce in a Jar?

If want to make your own Homemade Marinara tomato sauce? Use my recipe forHomemade Marinara Sauce; it’s delicious!

Can I Add Protein?

Classic stuffed shells don’t usually contain meat, but you can totally add some if you’d like! You can cook ground Italian sausage, ground beef, or even ground turkey and add it to the cheese mixture. Or you can mix it into the marinara.

More Comforting Stuffed Shells Recipes

• Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
• Easy Enchilada Stuffed Shells
• Avocado Pesto Stuffed Shells

More STUFFED Recipes You Will Love

• Muffuletta Stuffed Chicken
• Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Chicken
• Confetti Quinoa Stuffed Chicken
• Broccoli Cheese Stuffed Peppers
• Slow Cooker Pizza Stuffed Peppers

Check the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, carbohydrates, protein, sodium, and fiber percentages.