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Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells

Name: Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 20 jumbo pasta shells; 24 oz plain plant-based marinara sauce labeled alcohol-free; 15 oz vegetarian ricotta cheese; 2 cups finely chopped baby spinach; 1 large egg; 1¼ cups vegetarian shredded mozzarella, divided; ¼ cup vegetarian hard cheese made with microbial rennet; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tsp dried basil; ½ tsp kosher salt; ¼ tsp pepper; 1 tbsp olive oil

Published by Best Quick Recipe · Recipe & image policy

Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with spinach and ricotta, baked with tomato sauce and mozzarella.

50 min6 servings

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Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells — AI-generated food illustration. Actual prepared dishes may differ.

About this recipe

Stuffed shells are a comforting make-ahead-style family dinner with a different texture from ordinary baked penne. The pockets of ricotta and spinach stay soft beneath a layer of tomato sauce.

Keep pasta shells easy to fill

Boil shells slightly less than the package suggests, drain and let them cool enough to handle. A teaspoon or small piping bag helps distribute filling without breaking the shells.

Bake until the filling is cooked

Because the filling contains raw egg, check that the center reaches 160°F. Covering the dish for most of the bake protects the pasta; uncover near the end to melt and lightly brown the cheese.

Recipe at a glance

Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells takes about 50 min: 20 minutes of preparation and 30 minutes of cooking. The recipe makes 6 servings. Follow the ingredient quantities and cooking steps in the printable card below.

Helpful cooking tips

Choose plant-based marinara labeled alcohol-free and vegetarian cheeses made with microbial rennet. Contains milk, egg and wheat.
Use a spoonful of sauce under the shells to keep the bottoms moist.
For this recipe choose packaged ingredients labeled alcohol-free and free of porcine ingredients, including sauces, broth, cheese and seasonings where used.

Frequently asked questions

Can I prepare the dish ahead?

You can assemble it ahead, cover and refrigerate promptly, then adjust baking time until heated thoroughly.

Plan this meal

Use these related guides to choose sides, organize ingredients and plan your cooking:

Easy Vegetarian Dinner Recipes With Pantry Staples

More dinners for your preferences

Explore our pork-free and alcohol-free dinner recipes for ingredient-checking guidance and more complete recipe cards.

Understand the ingredients

Learn about ingredient choices, preparation, texture and substitutions:

How to Use Ricotta: Choose, Drain, Fill Pasta and Make Useful Substitutions

Cooking references

For ingredient labels, doneness and leftover handling, consult these independent sources:

These sources provide general guidance; they have not tested or endorsed this recipe. Read our recipe and image policy.

Looking for more meals like this? Browse all vegetarian recipes →

About this recipe

Keep pasta shells easy to fill

Bake until the filling is cooked

Recipe at a glance