Stuffed shells can seem like a lot of work, but it’s actually really easy! Try this stuffed shells recipe with video and enjoy a delicious, tasty homemade ricotta stuffed shells your whole family will love. This is comfort food like no other! Plus you can make it ahead of time and it’s freezer friendly!
WHAT ARE STUFFED SHELLS
You’ll find stuffed shells at your grocery store, and they’re basically a type of pasta. They’re larger than your usual shells, and that’s why they’re ideal for stuffing!
You’ll also probably notice some are oven ready, while some require pre-cooking. Think of them like a lasagna.
Another thing is, depending on the brand you may find some stuffed shells are slightly bigger, narrower, taller, shorter etc.. Any type and any brand would work amazingly well for this stuffed shells recipe, so feel free to pick whatever brand you prefer, or pick the shells pasta that’s on sale 🙂
Usually the shells are stuffed since they’re huge in size. And you’ll find a dozen of different ways and filing to use. One of my favorite stuffed shells recipe is a Mexican Inspired stuffed shells, or the classic meat bolognese sauce stuffed into the pasta.
However, the ricotta stuffed shells I’m sharing today is my absolute favorite one! It’s creamy and dreamy without any meat, so it feels light as air. It’s also bright and flavorful, loaded with basil pesto and fresh cherry tomatoes. More details on today’s recipe below!
If you’ve never made stuffed shells because you felt it was daunting, give this recipe a try! It’s not as hard as you think, and I promise you the pay-off makes it worth the effort.
STUFFED SHELLS RECIPE
My ricotta stuffed shells recipe is comfort food around here! You’ll love the play between the cream sauce, the pesto and the marinara. Far from boring, these stuffed shells are creamy, cheesy deliciousness.
This recipe’s easy enough to serve on a weeknight, and impressive enough to serve your guests.
Ingredients for Stuffed Shells
To make this dish, you’ll need jumbo pasta shells, ricotta filling (ingredients below), and our homemade cream sauce. You’ll also need marinara sauce, basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and parmesan.
Ricotta Filling
Here’s what you’ll need to make the ricotta filling.
- ricotta cheese
- salt
- black pepper
- parmesan cheese
- homemade basil pesto. store-bought will work just fine.
- oregano
- shredded mozzarella cheese
Stuffing Pasta Shells
Once you mix up the ricotta filling, stuffing the jumbo shells is easy! You can use the oven ready or the ones that need to be precooked. Today I used the ones that need to be precooked and followed the package instructions.
To stuff the shells, simply use a spoon and put the filling right into the shell with no trouble.
If you have smaller shells, maybe because you already had a different size you want to use up, here’s a great technique. Use a disposable pastry bag or zipper baggy and put the filling in it. Cut a hole at the end or on one cover of the zipper bag. Squeeze the filling into each pasta shell.
HOW TO MAKE STUFFED SHELLS
- First, you will cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente.
- Then, you will mix up your cream sauce in a saucepan.
- Cook the sauce over medium heat until it is heated through.
- Place the sauce in the bottom of the saucepan and layer the cooked, empty shells on top.
- Next, mix the ingredients for the ricotta filling.
- Scoop and fill each shell with a spoon. It’s kinda like scooping cookies onto a tray.
- To finish the dish, top with marinara, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, parmesan, and a little more basil pesto. That’s it!
- Bake and serve with crusty bread and a side salad.
How Long to Bake Stuffed Shells?
You’ll need to bake your ricotta stuffed shells for 20 to 30 minutes covered and an additional ten minutes uncovered so make sure you give yourself plenty of time. While they are baking you can read a book or play a game with your family!
Can you freeze stuffed shells?
You can freeze almost any dish with proper supplies. To freeze any pasta dish seal it in an airtight container such as a vacuum sealer bag and keep for 3-6 months in your deep freeze.
What to serve with ricotta stuffed shells?
Serve this tasty pasta dish with a side salad and some crusty garlic bread.
How to Cook Frozen Shells?
Sometimes we need an easy button, am I right? If you have frozen stuffed shells, make sure to prepare them according to the package directions. You can still use our sauce recipe and layering instructions for a semi-homemade dish.
How to Make Stuffed Shells with Meat?
Meat-filled ricotta stuffed shells are a nice variation! To make stuffed shells with meat, you will need to cook your sausage or ground beef ahead of time and drain off the grease. Then simply add it to the ricotta filling before you stuff your shells.
TIPS FOR DELICIOUS RICOTTA STUFFED SHELLS
- I like to use a hand mixer to make the ricotta filling. This will ensure that the flavors are thoroughly blended plus it makes the job easier.
- A high-quality marinara sauce makes a huge difference! Look for a marinara that’s not too sweet, and not too acidic. I like a simple marinara made with just tomatoes, basil, garlic, and wine. Whenever I make this dish with the cheaper sauces I can definitely tell the difference.
- Follow the package directions on your pasta to make perfect al dente pasta. Al dente is Italian for “to the tooth” and means that the pasta is still slightly chewy. To some, this makes it seem undercooked. It’s actually really important to pre-cook your pasta to just al dente in this recipe because it will continue cooking in the oven and you don’t want it to get too mushy during the baking process.
OTHER PASTA DISHES YOU WILL LOVE
Quick Shrimp Pasta with Garlic Feta Sauce
Instant Pot Chicken Pasta Dinner.
Easy and Fresh Garlic Lemon Pasta
Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Stuffed shells can seem like a lot of work, but it's actually really easy! Try this stuffed shells recipe with video and enjoy a delicious, tasty homemade ricotta stuffed shells your whole family will love. This is comfort food like no other! Plus you can make it ahead of time and it's freezer friendly!
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Jumbo Stuffed Shells
Ricotta Filling
- 1 pound ricotta cheese
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup parmesan
- 2 Tbsp homemade basil pesto
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Cream Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 2 cups cream 18% at least
- parmesan rind optional
Additional Ingredient
- 1 up marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup basil pesto
- 1 cup mozzarella
- 2/3 cup parmesan cheese
- 8-12 cherry tomatoes
Instructions
-
Pre-heat the oven to 375º
-
Cook the shells according to the package instructions, to al dente. Drain.
-
Mix the ingredients for the cream sauce in a saucepan and heat through.
-
Place the cream sauce in the bottom of your baking dish.
-
Place the cooked shells on top of the cream sauce.
-
For the ricotta mixture: mix everything in a single bowl
-
Scoop filling into a spoon, and push it into each shell with your finger.
-
Top this with cherry tomatoes and drizzled marinara sauce.
-
Cover with mozzarella and parmesan.
-
Place little scoops of the basil pesto on top of the cheese.
-
Bake for 20-30 minutes covered.
-
Uncover and bake an additional 5-10 minutes or broil for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
TIPS FOR DELICIOUS RICOTTA STUFFED SHELLS
- I like to use a hand mixer to make the ricotta filling. This will ensure that the flavors are thoroughly blended plus it makes the job easier.
- A high-quality marinara sauce makes a huge difference! Look for a marinara that’s not too sweet, and not too acidic. I like a simple marinara made with just tomatoes, basil, garlic, and wine. Whenever I make this dish with the cheaper sauces I can definitely tell the difference.
- Follow the package directions on your pasta to make perfect al dente pasta. Al dente is Italian for “to the tooth” and means that the pasta is still slightly chewy. To some, this makes it seem undercooked. It’s actually really important to pre-cook your pasta to just al dente in this recipe because it will continue cooking in the oven and you don’t want it to get too mushy during the baking process.Â
HEATHER PERINE
Oh man I wish I could stick a fork into my computer screen and take a bite! Love the idea of adding pesto to the filling! Going to try this weekend 🙂
Carrie Robinson
Definitely adding this recipe to my weekly dinner rotation soon! Looks perfect. 🙂
Mairead Geary
I love Italian cooking and pasta bakes with creamy tomato sauce. Thank you for a great recipe.
Anjali
Yummm! These stuffed shells turned out to be so good! They were quite easy to make, and were the perfect main dish for our family dinner this weekend.
Claudia Lamascolo
Those seriously look like the best stuffed shells I have ever seen and I love them and a big fan, just gorgeous presentation! WOW
Joseph
More like half stuffed shells to much pasta In my humble opinion >!!
Anjali
These stuffed shells were really easy to make and were so family friendly! Even my picky kids loved them!
Carrie Robinson
My family would absolutely love this! I will have to add this to my weekly dinner rotation soon. 🙂
Jessica Formicola
Stuffed shells is one of my favorite meals to order out, but I’m glad to have found a recipe to make them at home! Thanks for sharing!
Beth
These are amazing and flavorful! My family and I love these especially my son! So excited to make these again soon!
Michelle
This looks delicious, I haven’t had stuffed shells in ages so I’ll have to try this out soon!
Alison
Stuffed shells are one of my favorite comfort foods! Love the addition of the fresh cherry tomatoes!
Sarah Elwindy
I love baked ricotta shells, they’re such a lovely classic recipe! My family loved this recipe and it was so simple to follow. Thank you.
Sarah
You are so right, the cream sauce paired with the marinara is just perfect!!
Lindsay
This looks absolutely amazing. I’m a sucker for any kind of pasta that includes a cream sauce and tomatoes! Adding to the meal plan now.