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Easy Christmas Stuffed Pasta

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Easy Christmas Stuffed Pasta is the perfect festive dish to serve during the holiday season. This hearty and delicious pasta is filled with a savory blend of ricotta cheese, spinach, and a hint of nutmeg, all wrapped in delicate pasta shells. Topped with a rich marinara sauce and melted cheese, this dish is a warm, comforting meal that will make your Christmas dinner special. Not only is it simple to prepare, but it also adds a touch of elegance to your holiday spread, making it an ideal dish for family gatherings and holiday celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box jumbo pasta shells (about 20–24 shells)
  • 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup cooked spinach (fresh or frozen, well-drained)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for greasing)

Ingredient Highlights

  • Ricotta Cheese: Ricotta adds a creamy, mild flavor to the stuffing, providing a smooth contrast to the savory spinach and the tangy marinara sauce.
  • Spinach: Spinach is the perfect green to add to the stuffing, bringing both nutrition and flavor to the dish.
  • Mozzarella and Parmesan: These cheeses melt beautifully, creating a delicious cheesy layer on top of the stuffed pasta.
  • Nutmeg: The nutmeg adds a subtle warmth and festive flavor to the ricotta-spinach filling, perfect for the holiday season.

Instructions

Prepare the Pasta:

  1. Cook the Pasta Shells: Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the shells and set them aside on a plate, ensuring they don’t stick together. You can lightly drizzle olive oil on them to keep them separated.

Make the Stuffing:

  1. Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, cooked spinach, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, oregano, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well-combined, creating a thick, creamy filling.

Stuff the Pasta Shells:

  1. Stuff the Shells: Use a spoon or piping bag to fill each cooked pasta shell with the ricotta-spinach mixture. Be generous with the stuffing, but don’t overfill.

Assemble and Bake:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
  2. Layer the Dish: Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange the stuffed pasta shells in a single layer, gently pressing them into the sauce.
  3. Top with Sauce and Cheese: Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring each shell is well-covered. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
  4. Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://herbites.com/easy-christmas-stuffed-pasta/