Stuffed Shells
Ingredients
- Kosher salt
- 8 ounces jumbo pasta shells
- 30 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 12 leaves fresh basil
cut into chiffonade
- 1 large egg
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces Parmesan
grated
- 2 jars good-quality marinara sauce
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese
grated
- Crusty French bread
for serving
Directions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook for half the cooking time on the package; make sure not to overcook. Drain and rinse in cool water. Set aside.
- 3
In a bowl, mix together the ricotta, Romano, parsley, basil, egg, some salt and pepper and half of the Parmesan. Stir until combined.
- 4
To assemble, coat the bottom of a baking dish with some sauce. Fill each half-cooked shell with the cheese mixture and place face-down on the sauce. Repeat with the shells until the cheese mixture is gone. Top the shells with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle on the mozzarella and extra Parmesan.
- 5
Bake until hot and bubbly, 25 minutes. Serve with crusty French bread.
Stuffed Shells
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About this Recipe
Craving a comforting, cheesy dish that feels like a warm hug? These Stuffed Shells are a timeless classic, bringing hearty flavors and a satisfying experience to your dinner table with a recipe designed for delicious results.
Why This Recipe Works
This Stuffed Shells recipe excels by focusing on a rich, multi-layered cheese filling, perfectly balanced with vibrant fresh herbs. The combination of creamy whole-milk ricotta, salty grated Romano, and sharp Parmesan creates an irresistible texture and depth of flavor in every bite. Using a generous amount of fresh basil and parsley elevates the dish, cutting through the richness with bright, aromatic notes that make it taste truly special.
What you'll find here is a celebration of classic Italian-American comfort food. Each jumbo pasta shell is generously filled with a smooth, savory cheese mixture, then baked in a "good-quality marinara sauce" and topped with melted mozzarella and even more Parmesan. The result is a delightfully gooey, saucy, and deeply satisfying dish that’s both approachable and incredibly flavorful. It's the kind of meal that brings everyone together.
Customization & Variations
This recipe offers a fantastic base, but you can easily tailor it to your preferences. While the blend of ricotta, Romano, and Parmesan is perfect, you could experiment by adjusting the proportions of the hard grating cheeses to highlight one over the other. For an even more herbaceous flavor, consider adding a touch more fresh parsley or basil chiffonade to the filling. You could also try different types of quality marinara sauce to find your favorite.
Serve these delicious Stuffed Shells as the star of your next family dinner or a cozy weekend meal. Pair them with a simple green salad and, as recommended, plenty of crusty French bread for soaking up every last drop of the rich marinara sauce.