Cheesy Stuffed Pasta Shells (Print Version)

Jumbo pasta shells filled with cheesy mixture baked in savory marinara sauce to golden perfection.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 20 jumbo pasta shells

→ Sauce

02 - 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 teaspoon salt, divided
06 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
07 - 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 3 cups marinara sauce

→ Filling

09 - 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
10 - 1 large egg
11 - 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
12 - 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
13 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Boil salted water in a large pot and cook jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Sauté chopped onion for 3-5 minutes until soft and golden. Add minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and oregano; cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in marinara sauce, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Transfer sauce evenly into a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
03 - In a mixing bowl, blend ricotta, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, parmesan, egg, parsley, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until creamy and well combined.
04 - Using about half an ice cream scoop, fill each pasta shell carefully to avoid overstuffing. Arrange filled shells in a single layer over the marinara sauce. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
05 - Cover casserole with foil and bake for 30 minutes until sauce bubbles at edges. Remove foil and broil for 2-4 minutes until cheese topping is lightly golden and bubbly. Garnish immediately with additional parsley before serving.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Rinse cooked shells with cold water immediately to prevent sticking and maintain their shape.
02 - Avoid overfilling shells to prevent leaking and watery sauce.
03 - Parmesan can be lightly toasted before mixing into the filling to enhance nutty flavor.
04 - This dish freezes well assembled, either before or after baking.
05 - Reheat leftovers in an oven or microwave with a splash of marinara to maintain moisture.

Go Back