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Christmas Stuffed Shells

Festive Christmas Stuffed Shells: Comfort in Every Bite

Easy Christmas Stuffed Shells are a comforting vegetarian dish filled with spinach and cheese, perfect for festive gatherings.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 shells
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 pieces large pasta shells
For the Filling
  • 2 cups fresh spinach or frozen (thawed)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese cottage cheese can be a substitute
  • 1/2 cup pecorino cheese Parmesan is a suitable alternative
  • 2 cloves garlic minced, fresh or garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano fresh or dried
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest or a splash of lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes omit for milder taste
For the Sauce
  • 2 cups marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
For Assembly
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking spray

Equipment

  • large pot
  • mixing bowl
  • Baking Dish

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it's ready for baking your Easy Christmas Stuffed Shells.
  2. Steam your spinach on high heat for about 1 minute until wilted, then chop finely and squeeze out excess moisture.
  3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add pasta shells, and cook for approximately 10 minutes until al dente. Drain and drizzle with olive oil.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine chopped spinach, ricotta, pecorino, garlic, oregano, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes. Mix until well blended.
  5. Spread marinara sauce across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  6. Stuff each shell with the spinach and cheese mixture and arrange in the baking dish over the marinara sauce.
  7. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  8. Remove the foil, let cool for a few minutes, and serve hot, optionally drizzling with extra marinara sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portionCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 15gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 3000IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Make ahead to save time; prepare a day in advance and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve.

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