Baked Stuffed Shells Recipe

Stuffed shells are your gateway to an Italian-American classic that'll transform your dinner table. You'll learn how to craft tender pasta shells filled with creamy ricotta, perfectly seasoned and baked to golden perfection. Whether you're a novice cook or a seasoned chef, this recipe promises a crowd-pleasing meal that'll have everyone asking for seconds. Curious about mastering this comforting dish? Let's uncover the secrets to creating these irresistible shells.

Recipe Highlights

• Boil jumbo pasta shells in salted water for 9-11 minutes until al dente, ensuring a slight white dot remains in the center.
• Create a creamy filling by mixing ricotta cheese, eggs, mozzarella, and seasonings, then carefully stuff each shell with the mixture.
• Arrange filled shells in a baking dish coated with marinara sauce, positioning them seam-side up for even cooking.
• Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, watching for bubbling sauce edges and golden-brown cheese tops as indicators of doneness.
• Customize the recipe by adding herbs like basil, incorporating ground meat, or exploring different cheese combinations for variety.

History

While stuffed shells might seem like a quintessential Italian-American dish, their culinary roots actually stretch back to traditional Italian pasta-making techniques.

You'll find that these large, elegant pasta shells evolved from centuries of Italian regional cooking, where resourceful cooks transformed simple ingredients into hearty meals. The technique of stuffing pasta likely originated in Sicily, where chefs used local cheeses and herbs to create rich, satisfying dishes.

When Italian immigrants arrived in America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they brought these cherished recipes with them.

They adapted traditional techniques to incorporate readily available ingredients, creating the baked stuffed shells you know today. The dish quickly became a staple in Italian-American households, symbolizing comfort, family, and culinary tradition.

Recipe

Baked stuffed shells are a classic Italian-American dish that brings together the comfort of pasta with the richness of cheese. This simple yet satisfying recipe transforms humble ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal that's perfect for family dinners or potluck gatherings.

The key to perfect stuffed shells lies in the balance of textures and flavors – tender pasta shells, creamy ricotta filling, and a robust marinara sauce that ties everything together. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a restaurant-quality dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients:

• 1 package (12 oz) jumbo pasta shells
• 32 oz marinara sauce
• 32 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 large eggs

Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil and cooking the jumbo pasta shells until they're al dente, typically about 8-9 minutes. Drain the shells and let them cool on a baking sheet, being careful not to let them stick together.

In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, and half of the shredded mozzarella, stirring until well incorporated.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with marinara sauce. Carefully fill each pasta shell with the ricotta mixture, placing them seam-side up in the baking dish. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they're well-covered.

Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top, creating a generous blanket of melty goodness.

When storing or preparing this dish ahead of time, remember that the shells can be assembled and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. If you're freezing the dish, thaw completely in the refrigerator and add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.

To prevent the shells from drying out, always cover the baking dish with foil for the first 20 minutes of cooking, then remove the foil to allow the cheese to brown and bubble during the final 5-10 minutes of baking.

Cooking Steps

You'll want to start by boiling your jumbo shells until they're perfectly al dente, which means they'll have a slight firmness when you bite into them.

Next, mix your ricotta cheese with eggs and part the mozzarella in a bowl, creating a creamy filling that'll make each shell irresistibly rich.

Carefully fill each shell with the mixture, arranging them neatly in a marinara-coated baking dish before topping with remaining sauce and cheese, then bake until the cheese is gloriously melted and bubbly.

Step 1. Boil Shells Until Al Dente

The first crucial step in preparing baked stuffed shells is boiling the jumbo pasta shells to al dente perfection.

You'll want a large pot of salted water, brought to a rolling boil, ready to cook your shells precisely. Follow the package instructions, typically 9-11 minutes, but start checking doneness at 8 minutes.

Al dente means the pasta should have a slight resistance when bitten, not mushy or hard. Test a shell by cutting it in half – the center should show a tiny, faint white dot.

Drain immediately in a colander and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process. Spread the shells on a clean kitchen towel to cool and prevent sticking.

This careful boiling technique ensures your shells will be perfectly tender yet sturdy enough to hold the rich cheese filling.

Step 2. Mix Cheese Ingredients

Once the pasta shells have cooled, grab a spacious mixing bowl to combine the creamy filling ingredients.

Crack two large eggs and whisk them gently, creating a smooth base for your ricotta mixture. Add the entire 32-oz container of whole milk ricotta cheese, ensuring a rich, velvety texture.

Sprinkle in one cup of shredded mozzarella, stirring carefully to distribute the cheese evenly. Use a silicone spatula to fold the ingredients together, preventing overmixing that could make the filling dense.

Season with a pinch of salt and pepper if desired, though the recipe doesn't specifically call for additional seasoning. The mixture should look creamy, slightly lumpy, and have a pale, appetizing appearance that promises a delicious stuffed shell experience.

Step 3. Fill Each Shell Carefully

Somebody might find filling pasta shells a delicate art, but with the right technique, you'll transform this potential challenge into a smooth, satisfying process.

Start by using a small spoon or piping bag to distribute the cheese mixture evenly. You'll want about 1-2 tablespoons per shell, ensuring you don't overfill. Gently press the filling into each shell's curves, creating a smooth, uniform texture. Use your fingers to guide the mixture if needed, but avoid tearing the delicate pasta.

Place filled shells seam-side up in your marinara-coated baking dish, leaving a small space between each shell. This spacing allows heat to circulate and ensures even cooking.

Work methodically and deliberately, creating a tidy, appetizing arrangement that'll make your baked stuffed shells look as good as they'll taste.

Step 4. Arrange Shells in Dish

After carefully filling each shell with the creamy ricotta mixture, you'll want to place them strategically in your prepared baking dish.

Start by spreading a thin layer of marinara sauce across the bottom, creating a protective base that prevents sticking and adds initial flavor.

Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer, positioning them close together but not touching, which allows even heat distribution during baking.

The shells should nestle snugly, with their open sides facing upward to prevent the cheese mixture from spilling out.

Aim for a neat, organized pattern that maximizes space while ensuring each shell gets consistent sauce coverage.

This methodical placement guarantees a professional-looking final dish with perfect texture and presentation.

Step 5. Bake Until Cheese Melts

Carefully transfer your baking dish filled with stuffed shells into a preheated 350°F oven, where the magic of melting cheese and bubbling marinara sauce will transform your assembled dish.

Watch for visual cues that signal perfect doneness: the cheese should turn golden and slightly bubbly around the edges, creating a tempting surface that hints at the deliciousness within.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.

Key signs of readiness include:

• Cheese melts completely
• Sauce starts to bubble at dish edges
• Top develops a light golden-brown color
• Shells are steaming hot

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes, allowing the filling to set and flavors to meld before serving.

Final Thoughts

Although baked stuffed shells might seem intimidating, they're actually a surprisingly straightforward dish that'll become a reliable staple in your home cooking repertoire.

With practice, you'll master the technique of gently stuffing shells and creating that perfect cheese-to-sauce ratio. Remember that patience is key: take your time filling each shell carefully, ensuring an even distribution of the ricotta mixture.

When baking, look for visual cues like bubbling edges and golden-brown cheese tops that signal your dish is ready. You can easily customize this recipe by adding herbs like basil or oregano, or incorporating ground meat into the cheese filling for extra protein.

Don't be afraid to experiment and make this classic Italian-American comfort food your own, transforming a simple recipe into a memorable family meal.