Baked Cheese-Stuffed Pasta Shells in Marinara Sauce

Baked Cheese-Stuffed Pasta Shells in Marinara Sauce

🍽️ Introduction:

Looking for a hearty, cheesy, and utterly comforting dinner idea? These Baked Cheese-Stuffed Pasta Shells are a cozy Italian-inspired dish that will warm hearts and satisfy cravings. Tender pasta shells are filled with a luscious mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, smothered in rich marinara sauce, topped with more cheese, and baked to bubbly perfection.

Perfect for weeknight meals, potlucks, or even make-ahead dinners, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Each bite is creamy, saucy, and packed with cheesy goodness — exactly what comfort food should be!

🧂 Ingredients:

For the Filling:

• 2 cups ricotta cheese

• 1 egg

• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)

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• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)

• Salt & black pepper to taste

For the Pasta:

• 20–25 jumbo pasta shells (or manicotti tubes)

• 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)

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For the Sauce:

• 3 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)

• 2 garlic cloves (optional, minced and sautéed into sauce)

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)

For Topping:

• 1 to 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan

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• 1 teaspoon dried basil or oregano

👨‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Preheat & Prepare:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

• Lightly grease a large baking dish.

2. Boil the Pasta:

• Cook the pasta shells in salted boiling water until just al dente (slightly firm). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.

3. Make the Cheese Filling:

• In a large bowl, combine ricotta, egg, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper.

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• Mix until smooth and well combined.

4. Fill the Shells:

• Carefully stuff each shell with the cheese mixture using a spoon or piping bag.

• Pour 1 to 1 ½ cups of marinara sauce into the bottom of the baking dish.

• Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer over the sauce.

5. Top and Bake:

• Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the top of the shells.

• Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

• Add a dash of dried basil or oregano on top.

• Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

• Uncover and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.

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6. Serve:

• Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

• Garnish with extra parsley or basil if desired.

• Pair with garlic bread and a fresh salad for a complete meal!

📝 Conclusion:

These Baked Cheese-Stuffed Pasta Shells are the ultimate comfort food — cheesy, saucy, and soul-satisfying. Perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, this recipe brings all the flavors of classic Italian cooking straight to your kitchen. Best of all, it’s simple to prepare and endlessly customizable.

Serve it on a chilly evening or at your next family gathering — and watch it disappear fast! 😍🍝

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