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Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta Recipe

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★★★★

3.9 from 25 reviews

Delicious stuffed pasta shells filled with a creamy spinach and ricotta mixture, baked in a rich homemade tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and vegetarian parmesan cheese. This comforting Italian-inspired dish is perfect for a family dinner and serves six.

Ingredients

Scale

Tomato Sauce

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium brown onion (150g), finely chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp tomato puree (paste)
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
  • 2 cans (14.5 oz each / 400g total) diced/chopped tomatoes

Stuffed Shells

  • 21 large pasta shells
  • ½ tbsp olive oil
  • 6 ½ packed cups of spinach (200g)
  • 1 cup ricotta (250g tub)
  • ⅔ cup grated mozzarella (140g ball)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • A small handful of basil leaves, finely chopped, plus extra for garnish
  • ¼ cup vegetarian parmesan style cheese (50g), finely grated, plus extra for serving
  • ¼ tsp grated nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • ¼ tsp cracked black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Tomato Sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion with a pinch of sea salt and cook for about 10 minutes until translucent and slightly springy. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic and 1 tablespoon dried oregano, cooking for an additional minute until the garlic is aromatic.
  2. Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Pour in the two cans of diced tomatoes along with ¼ cup of water per can, swirling to mix and adding this liquid to the pan. Stir in 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, season with ¼ teaspoon sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes until it slightly thickens.
  3. Cook and Prepare Spinach: Heat ½ tablespoon olive oil in a skillet. Add half of the spinach and stir until wilted, then add the remaining spinach, continuing to stir until all is wilted. Remove from heat, allow to cool slightly, then squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Roughly chop the spinach and place it into a large mixing bowl.
  4. Cook Pasta Shells: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta shells until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and keep from sticking.
  5. Mix Filling: To the mixing bowl with spinach, add 1 cup ricotta, ¼ cup grated vegetarian parmesan style cheese, 1 clove minced garlic, finely chopped basil leaves, ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg, and season with ¼ teaspoon sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly until combined.
  6. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 356°F (180°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed shells.
  7. Stuff the Shells: Carefully fill each cooked pasta shell with about two teaspoons of the spinach and ricotta mixture, being careful not to overfill and cause breaking.
  8. Assemble the Dish: Spread a layer of tomato sauce evenly on the bottom of a baking dish. Place the stuffed shells on top of the sauce. Sprinkle the ⅔ cup grated mozzarella and a little additional grated vegetarian parmesan cheese over the stuffed shells.
  9. Bake: Bake the assembled dish uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the shells are heated through.
  10. Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with extra grated vegetarian parmesan cheese and scatter fresh basil leaves on top for a beautiful and flavorful finish.

Notes

  • Be sure to squeeze out excess moisture from the cooked spinach to prevent the filling from becoming watery.
  • Use vegetarian parmesan style cheese to keep this recipe meat-free and suitable for vegetarians.
  • Do not overfill the shells to avoid breaking during baking.
  • Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • You can prepare the tomato sauce and spinach filling a day ahead to save time.

Keywords: stuffed shells, spinach ricotta pasta, baked pasta shells, vegetarian Italian recipe, spinach stuffed pasta, ricotta stuffed shells

Find it online: https://foodarohub.com/stuffed-shells-with-spinach-and-ricotta-recipe/