Description
Delectable pioneer woman stuffed shells combine ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan for a classic Italian-American comfort dish. Hearty pasta shells filled with creamy cheese melt in warm marinara sauce, promising a satisfying meal you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) jumbo pasta shells
- 30 oz (850 g) whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 8 oz (226 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 8 oz (226 g) mozzarella cheese, grated
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Romano cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsps (8 g) minced fresh parsley
- 12 leaves fresh basil, cut into chiffonade
- 2 jars good-quality marinara sauce
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Crusty French bread, for serving
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350°F, positioning the rack in the center for optimal heat distribution.
- Pasta Transformation: Immerse jumbo shells in salted, rolling boiling water. Cook until just tender, then drain and cool on a clean kitchen towel, allowing excess moisture to evaporate.
- Flavor Fusion: Whisk ricotta, Romano, parsley, basil, and egg in a spacious mixing bowl. Season with black pepper, blending ingredients into a harmonious, creamy consistency.
- Sauce Foundation: Lavish the bottom of a baking dish with a robust layer of marinara, creating a vibrant, flavorful base for the shells.
- Shell Assembly: Carefully cradle each shell with the herbed ricotta mixture, nestling them snugly into the marinara-coated dish. Cascade the remaining sauce over the shells, ensuring complete coverage.
- Cheese Crowning: Sprinkle Parmesan and mozzarella across the surface, forming a tantalizing golden-hued blanket that promises crispy, melted perfection.
- Baking Ritual: Drape the dish with aluminum foil, then slide into the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Final Touch: Remove the foil and return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes, watching the cheese transform into a bubbling, bronzed masterpiece.
- Serving Finale: Rescue the shells from the oven and let rest briefly. Serve immediately alongside crusty bread, inviting diners to savor every decadent morsel.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Choose jumbo shells that are whole and unbroken for the best presentation and easiest stuffing.
- Cheese Temperature Tip: Allow ricotta to reach room temperature to ensure smooth, even mixing and better texture.
- Sauce Strategy: Use a high-quality marinara for maximum flavor depth and restaurant-worthy results.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Let the dish rest 5-10 minutes after baking to allow cheese to set and make serving easier.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg