Description
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato and Ricotta Stuffed Shells are the kind of easy dinner that instantly feels cozy, comforting, and worth repeating. This creamy baked pasta recipe is packed with ricotta, mozzarella, spinach, and bold sun-dried tomato flavor, making it one of those satisfying food ideas that works for family dinners, meal prep, dinner ideas, and easy recipe nights when you want something warm and homemade.
Ingredients
12 oz jumbo pasta shells
1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the jumbo pasta shells until just al dente. Drain and let them cool enough to handle.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, 1/4 cup of Parmesan, chopped spinach, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and 1/2 cup of the chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Mix until smooth and evenly combined.
3. In a baking dish, spread the marinara sauce and heavy cream together across the bottom to create a creamy base.
4. Spoon the ricotta mixture into each cooked shell and arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer in the baking dish.
5. Top the shells with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella, remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan, and the remaining 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes.
6. Bake at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the shells are heated through.
7. Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes, then sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Do not overcook the pasta shells or they may tear when filling them.
Let the cream cheese soften before mixing so the filling stays smooth and creamy.
Add a little extra marinara or cream when reheating leftovers to keep the shells from drying out.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: creamy sun-dried tomato and ricotta stuffed shells, stuffed shells recipe, baked pasta, easy dinner, dinner ideas, easy recipe, comfort food, cheesy pasta bake