Giant Stuffed Shells (Ricotta)

entire casserole dish full of stuffed shells and marinara sauce.

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Giant Stuffed Shells (Ricotta)

Better than Olive Garden stuffed Giant shells, a classic Italian dish perfect for weeknight dinners, this family friendly stuffed shells have 3 cheeses and are delicious.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: cheese, pasta

Servings: shells

Calories: 122kcal

Author: Trisha Haas - Salty Side Dish

Equipment

9 x 13 Baking Dish
Foil

Ingredients

24 jumbo pasta shells cooked, drained and rinsed - it is wise to make extras in case some break
15 oz. Ricotta Cheese
3 cups Mozzarella Cheese
½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 egg
2 tsp. Italian Seasoning
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. black pepper
24 oz. marinara sauce

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 and grease a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Spread half a jar of pasta sauce into the bottom of the pan and set aside.
Cook giant pasta shells according to package directions, drain of water, and rinse with cool water.
Mix ricotta cheese, 1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, 1 egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
Place the cheese mixture into a large piping bag and cut a 1/2" hole in the tip.
Pipe cheese filling into each shell and place each shell into the pan on top of the sauce in a single layer. It is fine if the shells touch each other.
Once all pasta shells are filled, spoon all the remaining sauce on top of each shell and top with the rest of the cheese.
Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake stuffed shells for 20 minutes.
Remove foil and return to oven, uncovered and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley or fresh basil if desired.

Notes

While this is a cheesy goodness option (and who doesn’t like all types of cheese), many people enjoy adding fresh spinach, diced onions, fresh basil, or a little cooked ground beef or Italian sausage.

If meat is more your thing, spoon hearty meat sauce over the shells.

Serve with a fresh vegetable side (like broccoli or asparagus) and garlic bread.

Nutrition