– 12 jumbo pasta shells
– 1 cup ricotta cheese
– 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 egg
– 2 cups marinara sauce
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Creating Easy Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells can be straightforward when following these simple steps:
1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the jumbo shells according to package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
3. Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
4. Fill Shells: Take each pasta shell and carefully spoon the ricotta mixture into it. Place filled shells in a greased baking dish.
5. Add Sauce: Pour marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells.
6. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
7. Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
8. Garnish: Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
9. Serve Warm: Serve the stuffed shells warm, drizzled with additional marinara if desired.
These steps will guide you on an effortless journey to create this incredible dish.