Stuffed Shell Pasta with Spinach and Cheese

A delicious baked pasta dish that can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving. It features a rich filling of ricotta cheese and spinach, combined with flavorful Italian seasonings, then topped with sauce and melted cheese for a comforting meal.

Preparation time: 40 minutes
Serves: 5 people

Ingredients

Filling:

• Ricotta cheese: 150 g

• Spinach: 1 cup (chopped)

• Mozzarella cheese: 1/2 cup

• Eggs: 2 (beaten)

• Parmesan cheese: 1/4 cup (grated)

• Parsley: 1/4 cup (chopped)

• Black pepper: 1 teaspoon (ground)

• Italian seasoning: 1 teaspoon

• Chili flakes: 1 teaspoon

• Garlic: 2 cloves (minced)

• Salt: 1 teaspoon

Pasta:

• Shell pasta: 1 pack (cooked and drained)

• Ready-made pasta sauce: 2 cups

• Cooking cream: 1/2 cup

• Mozzarella cheese: 1/2 cup (shredded)

• Parmesan cheese: as desired (for garnish)

• Parsley: as desired (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Cook the spinach by blanching it in boiling water or pouring hot water over it for 5 minutes until wilted.

2. Cool it in ice water, then drain and squeeze out excess moisture thoroughly.

3. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, spinach, mozzarella, eggs, parmesan, parsley, black pepper, Italian seasoning, chili flakes, garlic, and salt until well combined.

4. Cook the shell pasta until tender, then let it cool slightly.

5. Fill each pasta shell with the ricotta and spinach mixture.

6. Spread 2 cups of pasta sauce at the bottom of a baking dish.

7. Arrange the stuffed shells over the sauce, then top with more sauce.

8. Add cooking cream and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.

9. Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) for 25 minutes.

10. Let it rest slightly, then garnish with parmesan and parsley before serving.