Easy Lemon Ricotta Stuffed Shells With Marinara Sauce

PUBLISHED ON: 12.15.2024

Baked pasta is the ultimate comfort food. These jumbo shells are filled with whole-milk ricotta, spinach, lemon zest, and a garlic herb spread, creating a simple and satisfying dish.

This time of year, can feel overwhelming. Beneath the excitement of the holidays lies the stress and exhaustion of bringing everything together.  Amidst the chaos, we still need to eat—something comforting, easy to prepare, and simple to bake and forget. A meal that’s ready to serve, enjoy, and offers the bonus of leftovers.

Easy Lemon Ricotta Stuffed Shells With Marinara Sauce

Ingredients:
24 uncooked jumbo pasta shells (about 6-ounces)
1 (10 ounce package) frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 (15 ounce) whole-milk ricotta cheese
1 (5.3 ounce package) garlic and herb cheese spreadable cheese (such as Boursin)
1 large egg
Grated lemon zest from two lemons
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3-ounces grated Parmesan cheese (about 3/4 cup), divided
1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
1 tablespoon hot honey (such as Mike’s Hot Honey)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over high heat. Add shells; cook, stirring often, until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain shells, and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.

Meanwhile, wrap spinach in a clean kitchen towel, and squeeze to remove as much liquid as possible; set aside.

Whisk together ricotta cheese, spreadable cheese, egg, lemon zest, salt and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan in a medium bowl until well combined and smooth; stir in spinach.

Spread 2-1/2 cups marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish; drizzle evenly with hot honey. Place about 2 tablespoons of the ricotta mixture into each cooked shell (optional: you can pipe the mixture using a large plastic bag of piping bag). Arrange shells with filling side up, over sauce; top with remaining 1/2 cup marinara sauce, and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.

Cover dish with aluminum foil. Bake in preheated oven for twenty minutes. Uncover; continue baking until sauce is bubbly and filling is creamy, about twenty minutes. Serve hot.

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