Cheesy Baked Stuffed Shells with Marinara

Cheesy Baked Stuffed Shells with Marinara

Ingredients:

• Jumbo pasta shells (12–16 shells)
• Ricotta cheese (1 cup)
• Shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups, divided)
• Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup, grated)
• Egg (1, lightly beaten)
• Fresh spinach (1 cup, chopped and sautéed) or frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
• Marinara sauce (2 cups)
• Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the Shells: Boil the jumbo shells in salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Prepare the Filling: In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, sautéed spinach, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
4. Stuff the Shells: Fill each cooked shell with a generous spoonful of the cheese mixture.
5. Assemble the Dish:
   • Spread half of the marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
   • Arrange the stuffed shells in the dish in a single layer.
   • Top with the remaining marinara sauce and the remaining shredded mozzarella.
6. Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
7. Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.

Enjoy your homemade stuffed shells! If you’d like a variation or additional suggestions, let me know!