Creamy spinach and ricotta stuffed shells which might be good for make-ahead meals or freezer cooking.
Over time, this spinach and ricotta stuffed shells recipe has turn out to be a kind of reliable, go-to meals I come again to many times. It’s the sort of comforting pasta dish that feels particular sufficient to share however sensible sufficient to make on a daily weeknight — particularly when cooking as soon as and consuming a number of instances feels like a dream.
These days, I’ve been leaning onerous into meals that pull double (or triple) obligation. Whether or not it’s stocking the freezer for busy weeks, bringing dinner to a pal, or just ensuring there’s one thing hearty and home made able to go, bulk recipes like this one make life simpler. Fewer nights scrambling within the kitchen, extra nights truly sitting down collectively.
Stuffed pasta shells are a little bit extra hands-on than your common dinner, however the payoff is price it. This recipe makes a number of pans, freezes fantastically, and reheats like a dream — which implies the time you spend assembling it as soon as saves you a lot time later. It’s consolation meals that works as onerous as you do.
Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Shells
I really like stuffed shells (what’s to not love?), however they do take a while to make. That stated, this pasta dish is reassuring, scrumptious, and makes three full pans of jumbo pasta shells. I gave one away, ate one, and nonetheless had one left for the freezer — which looks like the final word payoff for the hassle concerned. Additionally, these are a wonderful option to freeze in particular person warmth and eat parts. For this I exploit Two Cup Souber Cubes (I additionally use their stoneware to reheat simply within the oven).
These stuffed pasta shells are full of a creamy ricotta combination made with ricotta mozzarella parmesan, contemporary garlic, and spinach. I desire utilizing contemporary spinach as a result of I can by no means fairly get all of the moisture out of frozen spinach, however each will work in a pinch. Simply know that spinach cooks down shortly, so that you’ll need to watch it carefully to maintain it from getting too mushy.
Recent garlic and basil actually make the flavors pop right here. I extremely advocate contemporary basil if you could find it, however dried will nonetheless provide you with a scrumptious consequence. And positively cook dinner just a few additional shells — I promise some will break within the boiling course of.
As soon as all the pieces is prepped, activate some music and benefit from the oddly therapeutic technique of filling the shells.
How Lengthy To Boil Shell Pasta?
When making jumbo pasta shells, timing issues so that they’re straightforward to fill with out falling aside.
Boil shells till simply al dente
Cook dinner shells in generously salted water and cease cooking 1–2 minutes sooner than the package deal instructions. Al dente shells maintain their form higher and gained’t flip mushy after baking.
Drain and funky rigorously
Drain the shells and unfold them out on a baking sheet so that they don’t stick collectively. Letting them cool barely makes them simpler to deal with whereas stuffing.
How To Reheat Stuffed Shells In Oven
Stuffed shells reheat fantastically, whether or not contemporary from the fridge or straight from the freezer.
Typical oven
Place shells in a 9×13 baking dish, add additional sauce if wanted, and canopy with aluminum foil. Reheat at 350°F till warmed by means of (about 25–half-hour from the fridge).
From frozen
Bake frozen shells coated with aluminum foil at 375°F for 50–60 minutes, then uncover for the final 10 minutes to frivolously brown the highest.
Microwave (particular person parts)
For a fast possibility, microwave particular person servings coated with a moist paper towel to forestall drying out.
What To Serve With Stuffed Shells
This hearty pasta dish is wealthy, comforting, and filling by itself, so the very best sides are easy ones that steadiness the creamy ricotta filling with out including loads of additional work.
Garlic bread
Garlic bread is a basic pairing with stuffed pasta shells for good motive. The crisp exterior and buttery, garlicky taste are good for absorbing additional sauce left on the plate. Whether or not you go along with a home made loaf, garlic knots, or a easy store-bought possibility brushed with olive oil and garlic, it’s a straightforward win that everybody loves.
Easy inexperienced salad
A easy inexperienced salad helps minimize by means of the richness of the ricotta mozzarella parmesan filling. Assume blended greens or romaine with a light-weight French dressing, sliced cucumbers, or a handful of cherry tomatoes. Preserving the salad contemporary and frivolously dressed provides a vibrant distinction to the baked pasta dish with out competing with the primary flavors.
Roasted greens
Roasted greens are one other nice possibility and may be prepped whereas the shells bake. Broccoli, zucchini, asparagus, and even roasted carrots pair effectively with spinach and ricotta stuffed shells. Toss greens with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast till tender and frivolously caramelized for a nutritious, hands-off facet that rounds out the meal properly.
Additional Cooking Ideas for Stuffed Shell Success
- Use a piping bag or zip-top bag to fill shells quicker and extra neatly.
- If utilizing frozen spinach, squeeze out as a lot liquid as potential to keep away from watery filling.
- Calmly grease your 9×13 baking dish earlier than assembling to forestall sticking.
- Label freezer meals with baking instructions so there’s no guesswork later.
If you happen to plan on freezing a batch (or three), wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then cowl with aluminum foil. I all the time label with reheating directions so future me could be very grateful.
I beloved with the ability to deliver this meal to a pal, get pleasure from one ourselves, and have one other tucked away within the freezer. It’s completely definitely worth the effort and time for home made consolation meals — particularly throughout busy seasons of life.
Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Shells (Bulk Recipe for Freezing)
Prep Time: 50 minutes
Cook dinner Time: 40 minutes
Complete Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 12 (4 folks per dish) 1x
Description
These stuffed shells style so contemporary. They’re an ideal consolation meals dish that makes 3 pans filled with shells, good for freezing or sharing.
- 2 (12 oz) Containers of Jumbo Shell Pasta
- 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 6 tsp Freshly Minced Garlic
- 12 c Recent Spinach, roughly chopped (about 10 ounces)
- 36 oz Half-Skim Ricotta Cheese
- 3 c Shredded Half-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
- 1.5 c Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 3 Eggs
- 3 Tbsp Recent Basil
- 3 tsp Salt
- 1.5 tsp Pepper
- 8 c Marinara Sauce
Directions
- Cook dinner shells in keeping with package deal instructions; rinse below chilly water, drain and pat dry.
- In the meantime, warmth oil in a big saucepan over medium warmth. Add garlic and cook dinner till aromatic, about 3-4 minutes.Add spinach and cook dinner till wilted, about 5 minutes.
- Coat three 9-by-13-inch baking dishes with cooking spray then unfold 2-2.5 cups of marinara alongside the underside of every baking dish.
- Mix spinach, cheeses, egg, basil and salt and pepper in a big bowl. Combine effectively. Stuff every shell with 1 heaping spoon of filling and organize stuffed shells in baking dish. Spoon any remaining sauce round shells the place wanted.
- If freezing: Cowl tightly with plastic wrap, then tinfoil. Clearly label and preserve in freezer for as much as 3 months. Pull out of freezer and permit to defrost within the fridge over evening, then observe common baking instructions (beneath).
- If cooking instantly: Preheat oven to 375 levels. Bake coated with tinfoil for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake a further quarter-hour.
Can be made into lasagna roll-ups, just like the above image, for a quicker prep time!
Lasagna Roll-Up Variation
This recipe may also be made into lasagna roll-ups for a barely quicker prep time. Merely swap the jumbo pasta shells for cooked lasagna noodles, unfold the spinach and creamy ricotta filling evenly over every noodle, roll them up, and place seam-side down in your baking dish. Cowl with sauce, bake as directed, and revel in the identical comforting flavors in an easier-to-assemble format.
