Hey there, holiday lovers!
Are you ready to impress your friends and family this Christmas?
I’ve got a festive treat for you: Christmas stuffed shells!
These pasta shells are loaded with cheesy goodness and a tasty filling that’ll make your taste buds dance.
Whether you’re hosting dinner or just want to enjoy some holiday cheer, this dish is a total crowd-pleaser.
Let’s get started on making your holidays delicious!
| Preparation Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-35 minutes |
| Total Time | 50-65 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Ingredients
For the shells:
- 24 jumbo pasta shells (I use Barilla brand jumbo shells)
- non-stick cooking spray
For the filling:
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
- salt to taste
- 15 oz ricotta cheese (whole milk ricotta for richer flavor)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 egg (large, to bind the filling)
- black pepper to taste (freshly ground preferred for more aroma)
For the topping:
- 3 cups marinara sauce (I like Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce)
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (freshly chopped for best color and flavor)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish and Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
While the oven is heating, coat a 9″x13″ baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Spread 1 1/2 cups of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of the pan.
Step 2: Make the Ricotta Cheese Mixture
In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, 1 egg, a pinch of salt, a dash of pepper, and Parmesan cheese.
Stir well until all ingredients are blended together and the mixture is smooth.
Step 3: Fill the Pasta Shells
Take your cooked pasta shells and fill each one with the ricotta cheese mixture you just prepared.
Then, place each filled shell into the baking dish on top of the marinara sauce layer.
Arrange them so they fit snugly together in a single layer.
Step 4: Add Sauce and Cheese Topping
Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the top of the filled pasta shells.
Make sure each shell is covered with sauce.
Next, evenly sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese over the top of the sauced shells.
Step 5: Bake the Dish
Cover the baking dish with foil and place it in the preheated oven.
Bake for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 10 minutes.
This will allow the cheese to melt thoroughly and start to brown slightly.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once baking is complete, remove the dish from the oven.
Sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley over the top for a burst of color and flavor.
Serve your delicious baked pasta shells hot.
Enjoy!
