Cheese-Stuffed Shells: The Best Cheesy Fillings For Your Pasta

Stuffed shells are a popular dish that is hearty, elegant, and easy to make. They are also a great option for feeding a crowd. The shells are filled with a variety of cheeses, covered in sauce, and baked to perfection. While there are many variations of the recipe, the most common cheeses used are ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella. Some recipes also include cream cheese, pecorino, or Italian seasoning for added depth of flavor. The shells are first boiled, stuffed with the cheese mixture, and then baked in the oven. This dish is a comforting and satisfying option that can be made in advance and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan

To make stuffed shells with these three cheeses, start by boiling your pasta shells. While the shells cook, prepare the filling by mixing together the ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, along with seasonings like Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, oregano, lemon zest, red pepper flakes and parsley. You can also add an egg to the mixture, which will help bind the filling.

Once the shells are cooked, stuff each shell with the cheese mixture. Arrange the stuffed shells in a baking dish coated with cooking spray, and spread a layer of marinara or spaghetti sauce on the bottom of the dish and over the shells. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top, cover with foil, and bake at 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-30 minutes. For a golden brown finish, remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes of baking.

This recipe is a great make-ahead option and can be assembled up to three days in advance. It also freezes well, making it perfect for meal prep. Serve these cheesy stuffed shells with garlic bread or breadsticks, and a crisp green salad for a well-rounded and comforting meal.

Spinach and ricotta

Ingredients:

• Pasta Shells: Jumbo pasta shells, also known as conchiglioni, are the perfect vessel for the creamy ricotta and spinach filling.
• Spinach: Fresh or frozen spinach adds colour, nutrients, and a fresh taste to the dish. It's sautéed with garlic and seasoned with salt and pepper.
• Ricotta: Creamy ricotta cheese provides a rich and smooth base for the stuffing. It's combined with other cheeses and seasonings to create a savoury and indulgent filling.
• Mozzarella: Shredded mozzarella adds a gooey texture and extra cheesiness to the dish.
• Parmesan: Grated parmesan offers a nutty flavour that complements the other cheeses in the filling.
• Marinara Sauce: This tomato-based sauce adds moisture, flavour, and tanginess to the stuffed shells.
• Eggs: Eggs are used as a binding agent in the filling to help hold all the ingredients together.
• Seasonings: Ingredients like garlic, basil, oregano, nutmeg, and red pepper flakes enhance the flavour and add a hint of sharpness to the dish.

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to 375°F (depending on the recipe).
• Cook the pasta shells: Boil the jumbo pasta shells until they are al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Prepare the filling: Sauté garlic and spinach in olive oil. Combine ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, eggs, and seasonings in a mixing bowl.
• Stuff the shells: Stuff each pasta shell with a generous amount of the spinach and cheese mixture.
• Assemble and bake: Spread marinara sauce in a baking dish. Place the stuffed shells in the dish, cover with foil, and bake for about 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
• Serve: Serve warm with a dusting of Parmesan cheese and a side of garlic bread or salad.

Tips and Variations:

• You can make this dish ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze it before baking.
• Experiment with different types of cheese: fontina, provolone, cottage cheese, or mascarpone can be used instead of or in addition to ricotta.
• Add meat: Ground beef, Italian sausage, or ground turkey can be mixed into the marinara sauce or combined with the cheese filling for a heartier dish.
• Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes to the cheese mixture for a spicy kick.
• Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free pasta shells to make the dish suitable for gluten-intolerant guests.

Cream cheese

When making stuffed shells with cream cheese, it is important to undercook the pasta shells by 1-2 minutes, as they will continue to cook in the oven. Rinsing the shells with cold water after boiling will help to stop the cooking process and cool them down so they can be handled. The cream cheese can be combined with other cheeses, such as ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella, to create a creamy and cheesy filling. The filling can also include spices, garlic, and fresh herbs like parsley and basil for added flavour and colour.

The shells should be stuffed with the cream cheese mixture and arranged in a baking dish with a layer of marinara or tomato sauce. More sauce and cheese can be added on top before baking to create a golden brown, bubbly dish. The cream cheese stuffed shells can be served with a side salad, garlic bread, or crusty bread. They are a great option for feeding a crowd and can be made in advance, stored in the refrigerator for a few days, or frozen for later.

Marinara sauce

The marinara sauce is typically store-bought or homemade. Store-bought options include brands like Rao's, Newman's Own, Classico, and more. For a homemade version, a simple recipe can be followed, usually including tomatoes, herbs, and seasonings.

When preparing the stuffed shells, a layer of marinara sauce is spread at the bottom of a baking dish. The stuffed shells, filled with a mix of cheeses and other ingredients, are then arranged on top. More marinara sauce is spooned over the shells, and the dish is baked to perfection.

The marinara sauce adds a tangy, zesty flavour to the stuffed shells, complementing the creamy ricotta filling and chewy pasta. It also helps keep the dish moist and prevents it from drying out during baking.

Additionally, the sauce can be customised to personal preference. For a spicier kick, red pepper flakes can be added, while herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley can enhance the sauce's freshness.

Overall, the marinara sauce plays a crucial role in the taste, texture, and presentation of stuffed shells, making it a staple in this classic Italian dish.

Meat

While the classic stuffed shells recipe is vegetarian, you can add meat to the dish to bulk it up and add extra flavour.

The best meats to add to stuffed shells are ground beef, Italian sausage, ground turkey, or shredded cooked chicken. You can stir 8 ounces of your chosen cooked meat into the cheese mixture before stuffing the shells.

If you want to keep the cheese mixture as it is, you can also crumble some ground beef or sausage over the shells when assembling the dish.

For a meatier pasta dish, you could try recipes such as rigatoni or baked ziti.

Frequently asked questions