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Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta


  • Author: Livia Scott
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta is a cozy holiday dinner idea with tender jumbo shells filled with creamy ricotta, spinach, mozzarella, and Parmesan, then baked in rich marinara until bubbly and golden. This easy recipe is perfect for Christmas dinner, family gatherings, vegetarian dinner ideas, comfort food nights, and festive food ideas when you want something beautiful, hearty, and simple to serve.


Ingredients

20 jumbo pasta shells

15 ounces ricotta cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

1 large egg

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 cups marinara sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes


Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Cook the jumbo pasta shells in salted boiling water until just shy of al dente, then drain and lay them out so they do not stick together.

3. Heat olive oil in a skillet, add garlic, and cook until fragrant. Add spinach and cook until wilted, then squeeze out excess moisture.

4. In a bowl, mix ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/2 cup Parmesan, egg, spinach, Italian seasoning, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper until creamy.

5. Spread 1 cup marinara sauce in the bottom of the baking dish.

6. Fill each pasta shell with the spinach ricotta mixture and arrange the shells open side up in the dish.

7. Spoon the remaining marinara sauce around and lightly over the shells, then top with remaining mozzarella, remaining Parmesan, and red pepper flakes.

8. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling.

9. Let the pasta rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Do not skip squeezing the spinach dry after cooking; too much moisture can make the filling loose and watery instead of creamy and rich.

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 438
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 845 mg
  • Fat: 19 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 23 g
  • Cholesterol: 78 mg

Keywords: Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta, Christmas pasta, stuffed shells, holiday dinner idea, vegetarian dinner, easy recipe, comfort food, pasta dinner