There’s something special about a warm, bubbling dish of baked stuffed shells coming out of the oven. It’s the kind of comfort food that brings everyone to the table with a smile — especially on days when you just need a cozy, no-fuss dinner that feels like home. This recipe is one of my go-to meals when I want to serve something hearty, comforting, and full of love.
🍝 Preparing the Pasta
I start by gently boiling jumbo pasta shells just until they’re al dente. You don’t want them too soft since they’ll continue cooking in the oven later. Once they’re drained, I set them aside to cool just enough to handle while I prepare the filling.
🧀 The Cheesy Filling
While the shells cook, I prepare a simple, flavorful cheese filling. I use a blend of creamy ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, and a few gentle pinches of garlic powder, parsley, and black pepper. It’s the kind of filling that feels rustic and rich — but still light enough that it doesn’t overpower the marinara sauce.
🍅 Assembling the Dish
Once the shells are cooked and drained, I let them cool slightly before spooning the cheesy mixture into each one. I layer a generous amount of marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish — you can use homemade or store-bought, whatever fits your day. The stuffed shells are nestled into the sauce, side by side, creating a comforting casserole that’s as pretty as it is satisfying. I spoon a little more sauce over the top, add a handful of mozzarella, and then bake the dish until it’s bubbly and golden around the edges.
🕯️ Cozy Comfort for the Whole Table
What I love most about this meal is that it brings a feeling of togetherness. Tim always looks forward to it, and I enjoy serving it with a warm loaf of bread and a crisp salad or roasted veggies. It’s one of those recipes that feels special without being fussy — the kind of dish that warms both your belly and your heart.
📝 Recipe Notes & Helpful Tips
This recipe is wonderful for making ahead — perfect for busy evenings or when you want dinner ready to go. You can assemble the entire dish and store it in the fridge, covered, for up to 24 hours before baking. You can also freeze the unbaked stuffed shells in a baking dish and simply thaw before cooking later in the week.
If you don’t have ricotta on hand, cottage cheese works beautifully as a substitute. And if your family enjoys a little heat, you can sprinkle in a pinch of red pepper flakes either in the filling or on top before baking.
This is a forgiving, flexible recipe — the kind you can make your own. And to me, that’s what homemaking is all about: using what you have, doing what you can, and adding a little love into every dish.
Baked Stuffed Shells
Ingredients
- 20–25 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 15 oz container ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese plus extra for topping
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley or a handful of fresh, chopped
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 24 oz jar marinara sauce (or homemade)
- Salt to taste
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for a little heat
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line with a spoonful of marinara to coat the bottom. This helps prevent the shells from sticking and adds moisture.
- Cook the pasta shells.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the jumbo shells and cook until just al dente (usually 1–2 minutes less than the box recommends). Drain and set aside to cool slightly so they’re easier to handle.
- Prepare the cheese filling.
- In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta, 1 ½ cups mozzarella, parmesan, garlic powder, parsley, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir until creamy and well combined.
- Fill the shells.
- Spoon the cheese filling into each shell, about 1 to 2 tablespoons per shell depending on size. Nestle the filled shells into your baking dish on top of the sauce.
- Add more sauce and cheese.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top of the stuffed shells, covering them generously. Sprinkle a handful of shredded mozzarella on top for a bubbly, cheesy finish.
- Bake until golden and bubbly.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden around the edges.
- Let cool slightly and serve.
- Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Pair with warm bread, a salad, or roasted vegetables for a cozy and complete dinner.
Notes
💬 I’d Love to Hear from You!
Did you try this stuffed shells recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below and let me know if you served it for a family dinner, a special occasion, or just a cozy night at home.
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