Patrick Oconnell
Stuffed shells with ricotta cheese are a delicious, comforting, and family-friendly meal. They are easy to make and can be prepared in advance, making them a convenient option for busy weeknights or when feeding a large group. The shells are stuffed with a creamy blend of ricotta cheese and other ingredients such as spinach, lemon zest, and garlic, then baked in a savoury tomato or marinara sauce. This dish offers a balance of flavours and textures, with the chewy pasta shells complementing the creamy ricotta filling. It can be served with a simple salad and bread to soak up the extra sauce, making it a satisfying and hearty meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Comfort food, family meal |
| Main Ingredients | Pasta shells, ricotta cheese, spinach, lemon zest, pecorino or Parmesan cheese, oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, parsley, basil, egg, salt, pepper, marinara sauce |
| Additional Ingredients | Mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, ground beef, sausage, broccoli |
| Preparation Time | 15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Baking Temperature | 350°F-400°F |
| Servings | 6 |
| Storage | Can be refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen for 3-5 months |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Boil pasta shells for 8-10 minutes
To cook stuffed shells with ricotta cheese, you'll want to start by boiling your pasta shells. Fill a large pot with water and place it on your stove over high heat. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water—this will infuse your pasta with flavour as it cooks. Cover the pot with a lid to encourage the water to come to a boil more quickly.
Once the water has reached a rolling boil, remove the lid and add your pasta shells. You'll want to cook jumbo shells meant for stuffing, and it's a good idea to cook a few extra shells in case some break during the cooking process. Reduce the heat to maintain a low boil and cook the pasta shells for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent them from sticking together. You're aiming to cook the shells until they are al dente—that is, slightly underdone, as they will undergo further cooking in the oven.
When the shells are al dente, drain the pot over your sink using a colander. Drizzle the cooked shells with a little olive oil or vegetable oil to prevent them from sticking together, and set them aside to cool.
Cooking Natural Cheese in a Crockpot: A Simple Guide
You may want to see also
Make the ricotta filling
To make the ricotta filling, you will need ricotta cheese, spinach, pecorino or Parmesan cheese, garlic, oregano, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, basil, parsley, eggs, and mozzarella cheese. You can also add other ingredients such as Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to taste.
Start by cooking the pasta shells in a large pot of salted boiling water for about 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta and drizzle with olive oil to prevent the shells from sticking together. Set aside to cool.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the ricotta filling by combining the ricotta cheese, spinach, pecorino or Parmesan cheese, garlic, oregano, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix until all the ingredients are well incorporated. For a more creamy and cheesy filling, you can also add in some mozzarella cheese, eggs, basil, and parsley. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
If you prefer a smoother and more pipeable filling, you can transfer the ricotta mixture to a food processor and blend until smooth. Alternatively, you can use a fork or a spoon to mix the ingredients by hand for a chunkier texture.
Once the ricotta filling is prepared, you can start stuffing each shell with about 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture. Place the stuffed shells in a baking dish with your favorite marinara sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and herbs.
The Best Way to Store Your Cheesecake
You may want to see also
Stuff the shells
Stuffed shells are a great make-ahead meal. They can be frozen for up to three months and then baked when you're ready to eat them. To stuff the shells, first cook the pasta shells in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, being careful not to overcook them as they will finish cooking in the oven. Drain the shells and drizzle with olive oil to prevent them from sticking together. Set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese with a variety of other ingredients, such as spinach, garlic, lemon zest, eggs, herbs, and other types of cheese like mozzarella, Parmesan, or pecorino. You can also add in seasonings like salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Mix all the ingredients until they are well combined.
Once the pasta shells have cooled down enough to handle, it's time to stuff them. You can use a spoon, a piping bag, or a large Ziploc bag with the tip cut off to fill the shells with the ricotta mixture. Stuff each shell generously and place them in a baking dish. Cover the shells with your favorite marinara sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and herbs.
You can either bake the stuffed shells right away or freeze them for later. If baking right away, preheat your oven to 350°F and bake for about 20-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the shells are slightly set. If freezing, place the assembled shells in an aluminum baking dish and freeze for about 2 hours. Then, transfer the frozen shells to a large freezer bag and store them for up to three months. When ready to bake, simply nestle the frozen shells in marinara sauce, sprinkle with cheese and herbs, and follow the baking instructions above.
Cheese Whizzes: Creative Cooking Ideas for Your Fridge
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes
Once you've stuffed your shells with ricotta cheese and placed them in a baking dish, it's time to bake them in the oven. Cover the baking dish with foil or plastic wrap, being sure to seal tightly to prevent air from escaping. If you plan to serve the shells immediately, preheat your oven to 350°F and bake for 20-30 minutes. The exact baking time may vary depending on your oven and the number of shells you're cooking, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.
If you're preparing the shells in advance, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to one day before baking. Take the dish out of the refrigerator and remove the covering. Let the stuffed shells sit on the counter while you preheat your oven to 350°F. Sprinkle some mozzarella cheese and herbs on top of the shells before placing them in the oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the shells are slightly set and the edges are bubbly.
For an extra cheesy touch, you can uncover the baking dish during the last few minutes of baking to allow the cheese to melt and brown. If you're baking frozen stuffed shells, you may need to extend the baking time by a few minutes. Always ensure that your stuffed shells are heated through and cooked to your desired level of doneness before serving.
While the shells are baking, you can prepare some side dishes to round out the meal. A simple green salad, such as arugula or beet salad, pairs well with the richness of the stuffed shells. Crusty bread or rosemary focaccia is also a great option to soak up any extra sauce. Don't forget to garnish the shells with freshly chopped parsley for a fresh herbal aroma before serving!
Garlic Cheesy Bread: Baking Temp and Tips
You may want to see also
Serve with extra sauce and salad
Stuffed shells with ricotta cheese are a great dish to serve at a get-together or dinner party. They are easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time. This dish is sure to be a hit with your guests, offering comfort food at its best.
When serving, you can place the extra sauce in a bowl on the side, allowing your guests to spoon it over their shells as they eat. This ensures that each bite is packed with flavour and sauce.
To round out the meal, a simple salad and some good bread are the perfect accompaniments. A green salad, such as a Caesar, Arugula, Beet, or Simple Green Salad, pairs well with the stuffed shells. You could also serve it with crusty bread, rosemary focaccia, garlic knots, or dinner rolls.
If you're looking for a heartier option, you can serve the stuffed shells with a slice or two of delicious bread to soak up the extra sauce. This dish is sure to impress and satisfy your guests, offering a comforting and flavourful dining experience.
Cooking Inside Round Rouladen: Swiss Cheese Style
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Boil your pasta shells for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking. In a bowl, combine ricotta, spinach, garlic, lemon zest, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Spread marinara sauce in a baking dish. Stuff each shell with the ricotta mixture and place in the dish. Cover with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes.
Yes, you can prepare the stuffed shells and place them in the baking dish with the marinara sauce up to 4 hours in advance. Cover with foil and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Yes, you can freeze stuffed shells. Freeze the unbaked shells in an aluminium baking dish for about 2 hours. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. When ready to bake, nestle the frozen shells in marinara sauce, sprinkle with cheese, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes.
Stuffed shells are a comforting and hearty meal, perfect for a family dinner or get-together. You can serve them with a simple salad and bread to soak up the extra sauce. A crusty loaf or rosemary focaccia would pair well.
Yes, you can add meat to the recipe. You could try cooked ground beef, chicken, or sausage mixed into the sauce.
