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    Soulfully Made » Main Dish » Easy Baked Stuffed Shells

    Easy Baked Stuffed Shells

    Nikki Lee Published:July 27, 2018 | Updated: August 17, 2021

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    Recipe Save Saved!
    the Pinterest image for this Italian baked stuffed shells recipe with the baked shells and marinara sauce on a white plate

    Easy Baked Stuffed Shells are jumbo pasta shells filled with creamy ricotta and Italian cheese baked in a deliciously rich meat sauce.  If that isn't scrumptious enough, they are topped off with soft fresh mozzarella slices and baked to perfection.

    Spoon of Easy Baked Stuffed Shells out of a baking dish

    I may have mentioned a time or two my affection for Italian food! One day I will make it to Italy, I promise. It's at the very top of my bucket list. For now I will dream of days touring vineyards and piazzas filled with beautiful historical buildings.

    On any given day I love, love, love me some Italian food! Because it is filled with rich sauces and exquisite cheese! I am not quite sure what there could possibly be to NOT love about it 😉

    These stuffed shells are one of those magnificent meals that is filled BIG flavor and lots of love. To me a lot of it is in the sauce. I like mine with a rich meaty sauce. My Kicked Up Spaghetti Sauce from a Jar is perfect for this recipe. You won't believe how easy and insanely good this sauce it!

    Add to it a creamy Italian cheese center and these bad boys are just KNOCK it out of the park good!

    What you need to make Easy Baked Stuffed Shells

    • Half Recipe Kicked Up Spaghetti Sauce from a Jar or 2 Jars of Marinara Sauce
    • Jumbo Shells
    • Italian Blend Cheese
    • Mozzarella Cheese
    • Garlic

    How to Make Italian Stuffed Shells

    Step 1:  Boil the Jumbo Noodles according to the package instructions for baking. If it doesn't include that you should cut the time in ⅔. The ones I always use are 9 minutes if baking and 12 if not.

    A closeup of large cooked pasta shells over a pot of boiling water in a large black serving spoon

    Drain the Noodles.

    a close up of cooked jumbo pasta shells in a colander for this easy baked stuffed shells recipe

    Place on a flat surface to dry. I use a baking sheet.

    a white bowl filled with ricotta cheese to make this easy baked stuffed shells recipe

    Step 2:  In a large bowl, mix ricotta, 2 cups of shredded cheese, salt, pepper and garlic. Taste and add salt if needed.

    the cheese stuffing for this easy stuffed baked jumbo shells recipe

    Step 3:   Spread half of the Kicked Up Spaghetti Sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish.

    Step 4:    Stuff each shell with about 1 heaping tablespoon of the mozzarella filling and place filling-side up in the dish on top of the first layer of sauce.

    these cheesy stuffed jumbo shells in a baking dish over a bed of marinara sauce

    Step 5:     Top the shells with remaining sauce.

    an overhead shot of the final layer of marinara sauce over a baking dish filled with these easy baked shells

    Then top with the slices of mozzarella cheese.

    slices of fresh mozzarella placed on top of the layer of marinara sauce on these baked jumbo shells

    Step 6:   Bake uncovered in a 375 degrees preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbly (about 30 minutes).

     

    An overhead shot of these baked jumbo shells with melted mozzarella, marinara sauce, and chopped parsley

    Let it set up about 10 minutes and then dig right into these Easy Baked Stuffed Shells! My family goes crazy when I make this and I hope yours will too!

    Plated Easy Baked Stuffed Shells

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    the Pinterest image for this Italian baked stuffed shells recipe with the baked shells and marinara sauce on a white plate
    Plated Easy Baked Stuffed Shells

    Easy Baked Stuffed Shells

    Author: Nikki Lee
    5 from 2 votes
    Easy Baked Stuffed Shells are jumbo pasta shells filled with creamy ricotta and Italian cheese baked in an deliciously rich meat sauce.  If that isn't scrumptious enough they are topped off with soft fresh mozzarella slices and baked to perfection.
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 12
    Calories 915 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 ounce Jumbo Shells, (cooked as directed)
    • 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
    • 2 cup Italian blend or mozzarella cheese, shredded
    • 8 to 12 ounces soft mozzarella, sliced
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic cloves, minced

    Sauce or Meat Sauce

    • ½ recipe Kicked Up Spaghetti Sauce Out of a Jar, This is what I used (or)
    • 48 ounces Jarred Marinara Sauce

    Instructions
     

    • Cook shells according to package instructions for baking. Drain and spread out on baking sheet to dry.
    • In a large bowl, mix ricotta, 2 cups of shredded cheese, salt, pepper and garlic. Taste and add salt if needed.
    • Spread half of the Kicked Up Spaghetti Sauce or Marinara Sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish. 
    • Stuff each shell with about 1 heaping tablespoon of the mozzarella filling and place filling-side up in the dish on top of the first layer of sauce.
    • Top the shells with remaining sauce. Then top with the slices of mozzarella cheese.
    • Bake uncovered in a 375 degrees preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbly (about 30 minutes).

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 1 serving Calories: 915 kcal Carbohydrates: 26 g Protein: 62 g Fat: 62 g Saturated Fat: 36 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 21 g Cholesterol: 215 mg Sodium: 2243 mg Fiber: 3 g Sugar: 10 g

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Kicked Up Spaghetti Sauce Out of a Jar
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    1. Julie @ Back To My Southern Roots says

      September 15, 2018 at 1:07 pm

      Wow! This looks so yummy. I love Italian food, Thanks for sharing the recipe!

      Reply

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    Hi, I am Nikki. Faith, family, and food are my passions! I'm a Southern cook from Florida who loves sharing food and creating memories around the table with my family and friends. Welcome to my Kitchen where you will find delicious, home-cooked, easy recipes!

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