The Pioneer Woman Tasty Kitchen
Profile Photo

Ricotta and Spinach Stuffed Shells

0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep:

Cook:

Level: Easy

System:

6
x

Print Options

Page size Letter 3x5 4x6
Text Size Small Medium Large
Content Include description
Include prep time, etc.
Show image

Description

This Ricotta and Spinach Stuffed Shell recipe has a unique flavor profile that sets it apart from other stuffed shell recipes. It’s one of my favorite meals to freeze!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Large Pasta Shells
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
  • ¼ cups Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • FOR THE SAUCE:
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 4 cloves Minced Or Crushed Garlic
  • 1 pinch Red Pepper Flakes
  • 30 ounces, weight Crushed Tomatoes
  • 1 Tablespoon Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
  • 1 Tablespoon Chopped Fresh Parsley
  • 1 Tablespoon Chopped Fresh Basil
  • FOR THE FILLING:
  • ½ cups Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 15 ounces, weight Ricotta Cheese
  • 1  Egg
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoons Pepper
  • 1 cup Finely Chopped Spinach, Packed

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Boil pasta shells until just shy of al dente. They should have a bit of a bite left to them.

For the sauce:
Heat oil in a large skillet until just shimmering. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, and lemon zest. Simmer 7 minutes. Stir in fresh herbs.

For the filling:
While pasta cooks and sauce simmers, combine Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, egg, salt and pepper. Mix well. Gently fold in the spinach until evenly dispersed. Vigorous mixing will turn the ricotta green.

To assemble:
In a 9×13 casserole dish, spread enough sauce to coat the bottom evenly. Put about 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of the ricotta mixture in each shell. Some of the shells will break and won’t be useable; usually I end up with a few leftover.

Place stuffed shells in the pan in a single layer. Spoon remaining sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan.

Cover with foil and bake 25–30 minutes, until bubbly. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, until cheese is fully melted and bubbly.

Notes:
1. If you would like to freeze part of this recipe or are doubling it for freezing, just divide up the shells into portions appropriate for you or your family. Disposable pie plates or bread pans work great for this. Assemble as instructed, but don’t add the final topping with mozzarella and Parmesan. I find those dry out in the freezer and are better when added fresh right before baking. Thaw before baking, or lower the oven temperature by 25 degrees and place frozen in a cold oven. I check halfway through cooking and sprinkle a couple tablespoons of water over the top if things are looking dry. Keep covered the whole time if baking directly from the freezer.
2. If you’d like to make this dish more hearty, adding cooked meat to the sauce or the filling is a great way to do that.

No Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment.

No Reviews

You must be logged in to post a review.

Related Recipes

Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta
Profile Photo by Blondelish.com in Main Courses
This shrimp scampi with angel hair pasta is a delicious dinner...
5.00 Mitt(s) 1 Rating(s)1 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 4 Level: Easy


Mango Tilapia
Profile Photo by Shavanna in Main Courses
This is an easy, tasty and healthy recipe for a pan-seared...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 4 Level: Easy


Sage Garlic Lamb with Feta Yogurt Sauce
Profile Photo by Molly Mulligan in Main Courses
Using few ingredients, this recipe for ground lamb is so tasty!...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 4 Level: Easy


Cabbage Rolls
Profile Photo by Beth Pierce in Main Courses
These delicious traditional stuffed Cabbage Rolls are made with ground sausage...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 12 Level: Easy


Dorito Casserole
Profile Photo by Krystle in Main Courses
Flavorful ground beef, and melty cheese in a crunchy doritos crust....
5.00 Mitt(s) 2 Rating(s)2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 52 votes, average: 5.00 out of 52 votes, average: 5.00 out of 52 votes, average: 5.00 out of 52 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 8 Level: Easy