Easy Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells (Printable Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 jumbo pasta shells

→ Cheese Filling

02 - 360 g ricotta cheese
03 - 100 g mozzarella cheese, shredded
04 - 60 g parmesan cheese, grated
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

07 - 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped or ½ cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce & Garnish

09 - 2 cups marinara sauce
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
12 - Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

→ Topping

13 - Extra mozzarella cheese, for topping

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 190°C. Thoroughly wash and finely chop fresh spinach, or thaw and drain frozen spinach to remove excess water.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo pasta shells until al dente, drain, and set aside to cool.
03 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, then add spinach. Cook fresh spinach until wilted, or cook thawed spinach until heated through. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
04 - In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, egg, nutmeg if using, and the cooked spinach mixture. Mix thoroughly until the filling is smooth and uniform.
05 - Spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a suitable baking dish. Gently fill each pasta shell with the cheese and spinach mixture and arrange seam side up in the dish.
06 - Distribute the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells. Sprinkle extra mozzarella cheese evenly on top for a golden, cheesy finish.
07 - Cover the baking dish with aluminium foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
08 - Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley before serving.

# Helpful Notes:

01 - For an extra cheesy outcome, layer additional mozzarella or provolone before the final 10 minutes of baking.
02 - Red pepper flakes can be added for heat, either in the filling or sprinkled on top prior to baking.
03 - Complements well with a crisp green salad or freshly baked garlic bread.

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