Stuffed Pasta Shells – rich and hearty pasta dish that’s easy to make! Jumbo pasta shells filled with creamy ricotta and spinach filling topped with more cheese and baked on top of hearty red sauce.Â
Serve these pasta shells with Perfect Caesar Salad and Easy Cheesy Garlic Bread for a perfect meal your whole family will love.
Cheese and pasta are one of my favorite comfort food combos. We have it in our weekly menu rotation and if we ever get bored with it, all I need to do is jazz it up a little bit! Like stuff jumbo pasta shells with creamy ricotta and spinach filling and bake it all on a bed of hearty pasta sauce. YES! Thumbs up from the whole family! Today I am partnering with RAGÚ to tell you about their newest line of Homestyle sauces because when it comes to quick, easy and delicious pasta dishes – a good red sauce is a must!
Ingredients:
- jumbo pasta shells
- ricotta
- spinach
- egg
- crushed tomatoes or pasta sauce
- mozzarella cheese
- Italian seasoning
- garlic
- salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Make the filling by mixing ricotta, egg, mozzarella, garlic, Italian seasoning, and spinach in a bowl.
- Fill each pasta shell with filling.
- Spread the sauce on the bottom of your baking dish.
- Arrange filled pasta shells in sauce.
- Top with shredded cheese and bake.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can make this dish up to 2 days in advance. Store it in the fridge and let it come to room temperature while the oven preheats.
Freezing:
Yes! Once prepared, place the dish in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge, then bake until bubbly.
More pasta dinners:
For more recipes like this one, feel free to browse our Pasta Category.
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀
Stuffed Pasta Shells
Ingredients
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 jar pasta sauce
- 15 oz. whole-milk ricotta
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1.5 cup fresh spinach roughly chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic minced or grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella for topping
- chopped Italian parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta shells according to instructions on the package. Drain, keep warm.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spread pasta sauce on the bottom of 13" x 9" baking dish. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, egg, garlic, seasoning, salt, pepper and chopped spinach.
- Fill each pasta shell with cheese filling and arrange in the sauce.
- Sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese over each shell.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling on the edges.
- Let sit for 10 minutes in room temperature before serving.
Notes
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
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Arriana says
Has anyone ever tried adding Italian sausage or ground beef to this meal? I’m considering it but I’m not sure how good it will be.
Anna says
I think sausage or beef would be fantastic in this dish!
Liz says
Do u cook the shells first or stuff them uncooked?
Anna says
Hi Liz! Step 1 instructs to cook the shells.
Liz says
Omg I am so dense, I didn’t see that whole part, thanks so much and Happy Holidays
Anna says
No problem at all, Liz!
Megan Marlowe says
I did a few posts with RAGU Homestyle Sauce and I was thoroughly impressed. The sauce is delicious and I keep a stock in my kitchen now. Thankfully, because I can make these stuffed shells which look amazing. I love spinach and ricotta together and this is the perfect week night meal!
Sues says
I LOVE stuffed shells, but barely ever make them. This is just the tempting reminder I need… Give me ALL the ricotta cheese!
Carmy says
You had me at that first cheesy shot! I love pasta and stuffing it with cheese just makes everything way better! We use the same Ragu sauce at home and it’s amazing – I bet it pairs perfectly with these stuffed shells. I’ll need this on my plate ASAP.
Sean says
I’ve done stuffed shells before, but I’ve never thought to lay them on a bed of sauce like this. It’s a great idea, and a wonderful (but very doable) looking recipe! I’ll have to give it a try.
Leah says
This pasta looks like the perfect weeknight meal. What a great mix of flavors and I always love spinach and pasta together anyway. What a delicious meal, and how easy. Thanks for the dinner inspiration.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Leah! I hope you love it!
Amanda says
Hello, gorgeous! Loving that cheese pull shot up top. Stuffed shells are such wonderful comfort food, but I always love the pretty presentation they make when entertaining as well. The hearty homestyle sauce must pair perfectly with them and it sounds like such a timesaver!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you so much, Amanda! I hope you will give it a try!
Tracy Koslicki says
You’re so right, pasta and cheese can never get old. Ever. And the possibilities are endless. I saw these new Ragus in the store the other day and was curious. Now I definitely need to try them!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
That’s awesome! I hope you love them, Tracy!
Marisa Franca says
You will always have a winner of a dish with pasta stuffed with cheese. Add a tangy sauce to eat, heat it up and your the best cook/chef in the world! It’s great having a good tasting sauce to rely on — you can come up with so many tasty dishes.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
I agree! So easy and perfect for busy weeknights!
Brandi says
I am a huge fan of stuffed shells. I absolutely love the ingredients that you have used. I can’t wait to make this recipe and try it with Ragu!
Kris says
Wow, oh wow does this look good. So cheesy and we love the addition of spinach. Great recipe and thanks for sharing. Can hardly wait to make this!
Gloria says
You can NEVER go wrong with a GREAT pasta dish. This is crowd pleasing perfect. A great make ahead dish to take to the cottage. Leftovers would be great…in fact I would likely make a double batch to make sure I had some leftover.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Yes! Definitely make a double batch and keep one for later or share with friends. This is always a huge hit!
Lisa says
Oh-Ma-Gawd! These stuffed shells look so amazing — and while I appreciate the energy that goes into making your own sauce, it’s good to know that Ragu is available when you just don’t have the time. The flavors sound enticing too, but I think I’m partial to the Roasted Garlic — that is right in my wheel house. I’d want extra sauce for serving too. Pinning to make this weekend!
Sarah says
Wahoo- that sauce DOES look thick! Sometimes I like to do a homemade sauce, but other times (especially if the husband makes dinner) it’s so nice to have a high-quality, delicious option in a jar! I’ll look for this!
KayWo says
I is amazing
Had it last night for dinner
Lina says
Those shells look so yummy and gooey, but I just have one question. Do I cover the shells with foil when they are baking? I’m afraid they will get dry and hard.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Lina! You can definitely do that. Let me know if you try this recipe and how you like it! Have a beautiful day! – Anna
Jeanette says
Can you use frozen spinach in place of the fresh?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Jeanette! Yes, you can use frozen spinach. Thaw it and make sure to squeeze out as much water as possible. Hope this helps! Have a beautiful week! -Anna
MaryBeth says
I am considering making this for Christmas eve but was wondering if i can make this dish a day ahead and not bake until the following day? Would it be okay?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Mary Beth! Thank you for the question! I think it would be best to make the filling a day ahead and cook the pasta and assemble and bake the dish the day you serve it. I worry that the pasta will dry overnight since it is not completely covered with sauce. I hope this helps! Let me know if you make it! I am excited for you to try it. 😀 Happy Holidays! -Anna
Maria says
I made this last night and everyone loved it. Some had seconds and some even went for thirds! This recipe is a keeper. It was so easy to make and I served it with chicken cutlets. Thanks for sharing.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Maria! Yay! That’s wonderful! I am so happy to know you and your family love this dish! Thank you so much for the comment. Happy Holidays! -Anna
Rachel says
I just made these for dinner and they were really good! There was definitely enough cheese filling for a whole box of jumbo shells, so I made the whole box and have lots of left overs. Also, I noticed that the longer the shells sat out (on my plate while I was eating them) , the harder they became. Why is that?
Meagan says
What purpose does the egg serve and would I be able to omit or substitute?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Meagan,
The egg binds the filling ingredients together and also makes the flavor richer. You can skip it no problem, it may make the filling less set together but it will still work and be delicious! I hope this helps! Let me know if you make this dish. I’d love your feedback! Have a beautiful week! -Anna
Beth says
What meat would you serve with this? Looks like a great side dish!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Beth! Great question! Meatballs are the first that come to my mind. 😀 I think roasted chicken would be great too. Let me know if you make it! Have a beautiful day! -Anna
Beth says
I’ve made this several times now, and it’s become one of my grandson’s favorite meals. I brown and drain a pound of ground chuck and add it to the Ragu sauce beneath the shells. Served with a salad and garlic bread, it’s a great meal!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Beth! I absolutely LOVE that! I am so happy to know that you made this dish and your grandson loves it. THANK YOU so much for letting me know! Have a beautiful weekend! -Anna
Jamie says
Thick and roasted garlic would be DELICIOUS with my baked ziti! Yum!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
I agree! So good! Thanks, Jamie!
Michelle says
Thick and hearty roasted garlic yum
Dorothy says
I could live on cheesy pasta. This looks SO GOOD! Love that jarred sauce too!
Susan Christy says
I want to try the Roasted Garlic to make one of my favorite things – meatball sub casserole.
Andi says
What a hearty dinner! Your pictures make me hungry!
Kimberly says
This is the kind of dish I virtually never get tired of – yummy!
Becky Hardin says
These shells look absolutely wonderful
Liz says
Ahhh that cheese shot!! Love it girl!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Liz!! 😀
Kim Beaulieu says
This looks absolutely amazing Anna. I love Ragu sauce, we use it a lot. Especially for pizza, it rocks as pizza sauce. And it’s my daughter’s favourite for when I make pasta.
I love that you used a spinach and ricotta filling. Stuffed shells are so scrumptious. Wish I lived near you, I’d be banging on your door with a bowl and a fork in my hands.
I’m going to scope out our stores for the Garlic one. I’m such a sucker for garlic.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Absolutely! It has that perfect thickness to go on pizza. Oh, and don’t forget the coupon! Thanks, Kim! 😀
Jessica says
Look at that cheese! YUM!!
Justine says
Stuffed shells are my one of my all time favorite comfort foods! Love the spinach in this version!
Amy says
I love the addition of spinach it makes these shells so pretty!
Jessica says
Ugh, this looks SOOO good right now! Love anything spinach and artichoke!
Sues says
These look heavenly!! I never make stuffed shells and I’m not quite sure why. They look like the perfect dinner!
Medha says
These stuffed shells look amazing! Love the ricotta in there 🙂
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Medha!
Jocelyn says
We love stuffed shells in our house! That gooey cheese in the first picture totally has me wanting a batch for dinner tonight! Love that thick hearty sauce!!!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
You can never go wrong with gooey cheese and good pasta sauce! Thanks, Jocelyn! 😀