Name: Best Christmas Stuffed Shells
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 20 large pasta shells; 1 cup ricotta cheese; 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 2 cups marinara sauce; Salt and pepper to taste; Fresh parsley for garnish

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Best Christmas Stuffed Shells is a warm and cheesy pasta dish that is perfect for holiday meals. It has large pasta shells filled with a mix of cheeses and baked in marinara sauce. This recipe is easy to make and always loved by family and friends.

Delicious Christmas stuffed shells filled with ricotta and topped with marinara sauce

Table of Contents

Why Make This Recipe

This recipe is great because it is simple, filling, and tastes amazing. It can be made ahead of time and baked on the day you want to serve it. The cheese filling is soft and creamy, and the tomato sauce adds a nice flavor. It’s a perfect dish to share with people during Christmas.

How to Make Best Christmas Stuffed Shells

First, you cook the pasta shells. Then, you mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and spices to make the cheese filling. You stuff the cooked shells with this cheese mix. Next, you spread some marinara sauce in a baking dish. Put the stuffed shells on the sauce and cover with the rest of the sauce. Bake covered, then uncovered, until bubbly and hot. Finally, add fresh parsley on top before serving.

Ingredients

20 large pasta shells
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 cups marinara sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Stuff each pasta shell with the cheese mixture.
Spread half of the marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
Arrange the stuffed shells over the sauce and top with the remaining marinara.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil, sprinkle with additional mozzarella if desired, and bake for another 10 minutes until bubbly.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

How to Serve Best Christmas Stuffed Shells

Serve this dish hot, right from the oven. It goes well with a simple green salad or garlic bread. You can also pair it with steamed vegetables or a light soup to make a full holiday meal.

How to Store Best Christmas Stuffed Shells

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes or until hot. Stuffed shells can also be frozen before baking. Wrap them well and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.

Tips to Make Best Christmas Stuffed Shells

Do not overcook the pasta shells; they should be firm because they will cook more in the oven.
Be gentle when stuffing the shells to avoid tearing them.
Use fresh cheeses if possible for better flavor.
Cover with foil when baking to keep the shells moist.
Add extra mozzarella on top for a golden, bubbly finish.

Variation

You can add cooked spinach or chopped cooked sausage to the cheese filling for extra flavor. Some people like to mix herbs like basil or oregano into the cheese mix. For a meat option, try adding ground beef or turkey in the sauce before assembling.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is already vegetarian because it only uses cheese and sauce. Just be sure the marinara sauce does not contain meat.

Can I use frozen pasta shells?
It’s best to use dried pasta shells cooked fresh. Frozen shells might become too soft and break when stuffing.

How long can I keep stuffed shells in the freezer?
You can freeze stuffed shells for up to 2 months. Make sure they are tightly wrapped to avoid freezer burn.