Ingredients
18 to 20 jumbo pasta shells
5 ounces (about 140 grams) of fresh spinach
16 ounces (2 cups) of ricotta cheese
¼ cup of grated pecorino cheese, plus additional for sprinkling
2 cloves of grated garlic
1 teaspoon of dried oregano
1 teaspoon of lemon zest
¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes
¾ teaspoon of salt, plus more for pasta water
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 cups of marinara sauce
Chopped fresh parsley, for serving
Olive oil, for drizzling
Instructions
1-Getting stuffed shells just right: Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure even baking. This recipe walks you through steaming the spinach, cooking the shells, and assembling everything for a delicious outcome.
2-First: steam the fresh spinach for 1 minute until it’s wilted, then drain and chop it to remove excess moisture and avoid a watery filling.
3-Next: cook the 18 to 20 jumbo pasta shells in salted boiling water for 10 minutes until nearly al dente, drain them, and drizzle with olive oil to keep them from sticking.
4-In a bowl, mix the steamed spinach with 16 ounces of ricotta cheese, ¼ cup of grated pecorino cheese, 2 cloves of grated garlic, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of lemon zest, ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes, ¾ teaspoon of salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Spread 2 cups of marinara sauce evenly at the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish for a flavorful base.
5-Stuffing and Baking Steps
Stuff each pasta shell with the ricotta mixture and arrange them in the dish.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes until heated through.
Serve with extra marinara sauce and garnish with additional pecorino cheese and chopped fresh parsley for a fresh finish.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🌿 Squeeze excess moisture from spinach to avoid a watery filling.
🍽️ Adjust filling quantity depending on shell size for best results.
❄️ Make ahead by stuffing shells and refrigerating up to 4 hours before baking; assembled shells freeze well with proper thawing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
