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Three-Cheese Spinach Alfredo Stuffed Shells

Three-Cheese Spinach Alfredo Stuffed Shells - featured image
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Creamy, cheesy jumbo pasta shells stuffed with ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and fresh spinach, baked in a homemade Alfredo sauce. This comforting Italian-inspired dish is perfect for family dinners or gatherings and comes together in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1.5 cups grated parmesan cheese, divided
  • 5 oz fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
  • Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter or spray a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add jumbo pasta shells and cook for 9-10 minutes, just shy of al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Lay shells out on a clean towel.
  3. In a large bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, chopped spinach, beaten egg, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Mix until evenly distributed.
  4. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Whisk in heavy cream until combined. Add 1 cup parmesan and stir until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Remove from heat.
  5. Fill each shell with about 2 tablespoons of cheese mixture. Place shells snugly in the prepared baking dish.
  6. Pour Alfredo sauce over shells. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 0.5 cup parmesan over the top.
  7. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  8. Let shells cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.

Notes

Don’t overcook pasta shells; they finish cooking in the oven. Squeeze excess water from spinach to avoid runny filling. Use freshly grated cheese for best melt. You can assemble ahead and refrigerate overnight. Gluten-free and dairy-free adaptations work well. Leftovers taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed shells, three cheese, spinach, Alfredo, comfort food, Italian, vegetarian, pasta bake, easy dinner, family meal

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/three-cheese-spinach-alfredo-stuffed-shells-easy-comfort-food-recipe/