Easy Stuffed Shells Recipe with Ricotta

This easy stuffed shells recipe with ricotta is a simple recipe that never fails to impress! These cheesy, flavorful shells combine jumbo pasta shells, creamy ricotta cheese, zesty parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, mozzarella, and the perfect blend of Italian spices for a dinner entree that will make you want seconds (and thirds!).

These easy stuffed shells with ricotta are the ultimate Italian comfort food. I don’t know what it is about the creamy, gooey, cheesy filling combined with the jumbo pasta shell and the marinara sauce, but something about it is absolutely irresistible! Whenever I want an Italian dish but don’t want to take the time to thaw and cook meat, this stuffed shells recipe is my go-to. I love how easy it is to just mix everything together, put the filling in the shells, and bake them. An added bonus? Even my little ones love eating these! I told them it was fancy, cheesy, spaghetti, and they didn’t need any convincing after that. These stuffed shells with ricotta have become a regular on our weeknight dinner rotation. 

Making these stuffed shells is very simple, which also makes them a perfect dinner for a busy weeknight. To make this stuffed shells recipe, start by cooking your pasta shells. Next, you will make your filling. This is super easy! Just mix together ricotta, parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour marinara in the bottom of your pan. Stuff your shells and put them on top of the sauce. Cover the shells with sauce and mozzarella cheese and they will be ready to pop into the oven! These tasty, cheesy stuffed shells will be ready to eat in no time!

Why You’ll Love This Stuffed Shells Recipe

• These Italian stuffed shells with ricotta are simple to make and never fail to impress!
• This recipe combines the perfect combination of Italian spices, ensuring that the filling is packed with flavor.
• Stuffed shells with ricotta are an easy weeknight recipe that even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy.
• This is an easy (and delicious) alternative to lasagna or spaghetti.
• There are three different kinds of cheese in this Italian pasta recipe. Need I say more?

Ingredients For Your Easy Stuffed Shells

• 12 oz. jumbo pasta shells
• 32 oz. ricotta cheese
• 6-7 oz. grated parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 Tbsp. dried parsley
• 1 Tbsp. dried basil
• 1 tsp. dry oregano
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 24 oz. jar marinara sauce
• 8 oz. grated mozzarella cheese

How to Make Stuffed Shells with Ricotta

Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta shells and cook for 9 minutes, drain and set aside.

Step 2: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 3: In a large mixing bowl combine ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, parsley, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.

Step 4: In prepared baking pan, pour half the marinara sauce in the bottom of the pan.

Step 5: Stuff each shell with cheese mixture and place shells in baking dish. I like to fill a large Ziplock bag with cheese mixture and pipe each shell.

Step 6: Cover shells with remaining sauce and top with mozzarella cheese.

Step 7: Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve immediately, Enjoy!

What to Serve/Pair with This Stuffed Shells Recipe with Ricotta

I usually serve these stuffed shells with an Italian salad and bread. My go-to for bread is always these Quick & Easy Homemade Breadsticks. Think Olive Garden, but homemade and super simple! In keeping with the Olive Garden theme, if you’re a soup person more than a salad person, serve these stuffed shells with this tasty Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup. I love doing this during the fall and winter – it’s so delicious and cozy!

Popular Substitutions & Additions

My favorite addition to this recipe is mixing sauteed spinach into the filling. It’s delicious and is a great way to sneak in a veggie.

I prefer marinara sauce on these stuffed shells with ricotta, but if you want it to be extra cheesy and creamy, you could try this recipe with alfredo, instead!

Storage & Leftovers

This stuffed shells recipe with ricotta makes delicious leftovers! The seasonings really sink into the filling and add some great flavor. Store any leftover stuffed shells in the fridge in a sealed container for up to two days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until they are warm enough to eat.

Stuffed Shells Recipe FAQs

Do I cook my jumbo shells before I stuff them?

Yes! Step one of the recipe calls for boiling the shells. I will say that I have found that it is best to boil them to al dente. It makes them easier to stuff because it keeps them from ripping, and they will cook the rest of the way in the oven.

Can I use a type of pasta other than jumbo shells for this stuffed shells recipe?

Sure! I’ve made the filling and used it in manicotti noodles. This easy stuffed shells recipe is simple to alter to fit your preferences!

Can I use grated parmesan cheese instead of shredded parmesan?

For this stuffed shells recipe, I would definitely go with shredded parmesan. If you want more of the parmesan flavor, you can sprinkle grated parmesan on top once it has cooked.

Other Great Pasta Recipes You’ll Love

• Chicken Pesto Pasta With Tomatoes & Mozzarella Pearls
• Veggie Pasta Salad
• Shrimp Scampi with Linguine Pasta & Asparagus

Don’t Forget To Come Back And Let Me Know How Your Easy Stuffed Shells Recipe with Ricotta Turned Out!