stuffed shells recipe

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stuffed shells recipe

Delicious Stuffed Shells Recipe: A Complete Guide

Introduction

Stuffed shells are a staple of Italian cuisine and one of the most beloved dishes around. They are cheesy, saucy, and utterly delicious. This dish has everything to make your taste buds happy - the savory cheese filling, succulent tomato sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta shells. Plus, it’s versatile enough that you can customize it by changing up the filling or adding different sauces.

If you’ve never tried stuffed shells before or if you’re looking for a new recipe to add to your collection, this guide will show you how to make the perfect stuffed shells every time.

Ingredients

Here are all the ingredients you’ll need to make your stuffed shells recipe:

  • 1 box of jumbo pasta shells (about 12-14 ounces)
  • 1 pound ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (plus more for topping)
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)

Preparation Time

Before you start cooking, you’ll need to prepare a few things.

  • Cook your jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until they are al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Cooking Time

The overall cooking time for stuffed shells is around 45 minutes to an hour. Here’s a breakdown of how long each step should take:

  • Pasta shells preparation - about 10-12 minutes
  • Filling preparation - about 15 minutes
  • Sauce preparation - about 10-15 minutes
  • Baking the shells - about 20-25 minutes

Filling Preparation

This filling recipe is one of the easiest things to prepare, and it’s incredibly delicious. Start by mixing together ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, fresh parsley, and basil in a large mixing bowl. Add salt and pepper according to taste and mix until all ingredients are fully combined.

Pro tip: You can add diced cooked spinach or diced artichoke hearts too if you want to add a little more taste or texture variation.

Shells Preparation

Cooking pasta perfectly is both an art and science. Here is a quick guide for cooking jumbo pasta shells accurately.

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. You’ll need plenty of water so that the pasta rims don’t stick together.
  • Add your jumbo pasta shells to the boiling water and stir occasionally with a wooden spoon. Cook for around 10-12 minutes, following the instructions on the manufacturer’s packaging so they remain al dente.
  • Remove them from heat when they’re done, strain with a colander but don’t rinse off.
  • Pour cold water on them in the strainer to cool off.
  • Place them on paper towels or clean kitchen linens so as to remove the excess water and prevent further clumping

Pro-tip: Don’t overcook your pasta shells. The filling will make them cook further while baking, so you’ll want the shells to be firm and not mushy.

Stuffing The Shells

Now that you have prepared the filling and pasta shells, the next step is to stuff them. Here are step-by-step instructions for stuffing your shells perfectly.

  • Take a pasta shell and fill it with about two tablespoons of cheese mix. Spread it evenly inside using a spoon or finger.
  • Place the filled shell in a separate dish. Repeat with the remaining shells and fillings until everything has been used up.
  • Add about 2 cups of tomato sauce to the bottom of a 9×13 square baking dish, just enough to cover its surface.
  • Arrange stuffed shells snugly into the sauce in a single layer. If necessary, use some more tomato sauce to cover those which remain slightly exposed on top

Pro-tip: When stuffing, be careful not to overstuff the pasta shells. There should be enough filling inside, but not so much that they burst open when cooking.

Sauce Preparation

This recipe uses marinara sauce as it is easy to make yet delicious. Alternatively, you can substitute store-bought sauce for spaghetti and other sauces that you particularly enjoy.

  • Take a large pan or pot and heat olive oil or butter on medium heat.
  • Add garlic and onion when the oil is hot and stir until they have softened.
  • Pour crushed tomatoes into the pot once they are soft along with salt, sugar, dried basil, red pepper flakes, and dried oregano.
  • Cook on low-medium heat for about 15 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Then remove from heat.

Pro-tip: Prepare the sauce in advance to save time while cooking.

Baking The Stuffed Shells

Now that your shells are stuffed and your sauce is ready, it’s time to bake them.

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) degrees.
  • Spread enough marinara sauce over the stuffed pasta shells to cover them completely.
  • Sprinkle some extra shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of each stuffed shell. This will create a delicious golden brown crust once baked.
  • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, leaving space between the shells and the foil so that they don’t merely stick together. Bake for 20-25 minutes depending on how browned you want them.

Pro-tip: If you prefer a crispy topping, remove the foil covering from the baking dish for an additional 5-10 minutes of baking.

Decoration And Presentation

Presentation is key when it comes to serving food. You can opt to decorate your stuffed shells using chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese on top in a lovely pattern. It is better to keep some of your marinara sauce aside and pour it over your decorated stuffed shells before serving them. You’ll find this enhances the visual presentation of this fantastic dish.

Variations Of Stuffed Shells Recipe

As mentioned earlier, stuffed shells epitomize versatility; you can modify this recipe in several ways.

  • Add cooked ground meat such as pork sausage or beef into your filling mix. Or maybe cook it dry with a variety of spices like paprika, cumin, oregano, and chili pepper flakes before stuffing it inside pasta shells?
  • Vegans or vegetarians could use vegan ricotta cheese and substitute other vegan cheeses.
  • You could add cooked vegetables to the filling mix, for example, spinach and mushrooms, peas, or bell peppers.

Tips For Serving And Storing

If you have leftover stuffed shells, you can store them in your fridge for a few days. They will last 2-3 days if you cover them in aluminum foil or an airtight container to prevent the pasta from drying out.

To reheat them, put them in an oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10–15 minutes or microwave them on high for about 30-40 seconds.

If you plan on serving stuffed shells for a dinner party, add some side dishes such as garlic bread or simple salads to complement the dish.

Conclusion

Stuffed shells are a complete meal with a balance of protein, carbs, fats, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. With this recipe guide, now you know everything there is to know about preparing restaurant-quality stuffed shells! It’s easy to source the ingredients and requires minimal effort to create this mouth-watering dish. So go ahead and give it a try at your next dinner party or family gathering. We are sure it would make your guests salivate and become your go-to recipe for gatherings.

5 FAQs About Stuffed Shells Recipe

1. What are stuffed shells?

Stuffed shells are a classic Italian dish consisting of jumbo pasta shells filled with a mixture of cheese, meat, or vegetables.

  • Ingredients for stuffing: ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, egg, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
  • Ingredients for the sauce: ground beef / turkey, onion, garlic cloves, olive oil, canned crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste and Italian seasoning.

2. How do I prepare the pasta shells?

Begin by cooking jumbo pasta shells according to the instructions on the package until they’re al dente. You don’t want them to be too soft as they will fall apart when you try to fill them. Rinse them under cold water, dry well and set aside.

3. Can I prep this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! Stuff the shells as directed and refrigerate them up to two days in advance. Then take them out from the refrigerator at least an hour before baking so that they can warm up to room temperature before going into the oven.

4. What can I serve with stuffed shells?

You can pair stuffed shells with many sides like garlic bread, roasted veggies or a simple green salad - to make a complete meal.

5. How long does it take to bake stuffed shells?

Bake the stuffed shells for about 25-30 minutes at 375°F/190°C until they’re heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly on top. Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving.