Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Italian Cheese Stuffed Shells recipe, a rich and cheesy baked pasta dish that brings the flavors of Italy straight to your table. Tender jumbo shells are generously stuffed with a creamy, flavor-packed filling of ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh parsley, then nestled in a bed of tangy marinara sauce. Topped with more melty cheese and a drizzle of olive oil for added richness, this dish is baked to golden perfection. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, these stuffed shells are easy to prepare in under an hour and guaranteed to impress. Serve with a side of garlic bread or a crisp green salad for a complete, mouthwatering meal.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook until al dente, about 9-10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, the egg, chopped parsley, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until thoroughly blended.
Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce across the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Using a spoon, stuff each cooked pasta shell with about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of the cheese mixture. Place the stuffed shells seam-side up in the prepared baking dish.
Pour the remaining 2 cups of marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese over the top.
Drizzle olive oil lightly across the cheese topping for added richness.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
Garnish with additional chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot.
Calories |
3004 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 199.9 g | 256% | |
| Saturated Fat | 109.5 g | 548% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 864 mg | 288% | |
| Sodium | 8888 mg | 386% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 104.3 g | 38% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.0 g | 29% | |
| Total Sugars | 17.3 g | ||
| Protein | 211.6 g | 423% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 5898 mg | 454% | |
| Iron | 6.9 mg | 38% | |
| Potassium | 1110 mg | 24% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.