{"id":249018,"date":"2025-05-20T12:06:16","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T12:06:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/recipes\/category-a-b\/baking-category-a-b\/stuffed-shells-recipe-the-best-italian-comfort-food\/"},"modified":"2025-05-20T12:06:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T12:06:16","slug":"stuffed-shells-recipe-the-best-italian-comfort-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=249018","title":{"rendered":"Stuffed Shells Recipe (The Best Italian Comfort Food)"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This is my\u00a0family\u2019s go-to recipe\u00a0for stuffed shells! Al dente jumbo pasta shells, homemade marinara sauce, delicious ricotta cheese mixture, and gooey mozzarella cheese on top. Jump to the recipe now!<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em> This recipe is total comfort food and delicious with <\/em>garlic knots<\/em><\/a> and a <\/em>Caesar salad<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Cheesy<\/a><\/figure>\n

Next time you\u2019re craving comfort food, make these gloriously cheesy stuffed shells!!! Aka heaven in a casserole dish. My family BEGS me to make this baked pasta dish. And we have a lot of fun making these stuffed shells together as a family.<\/p>\n

I usually make the homemade marinara sauce and ricotta mixture before they join me in the kitchen. Then I let my kids stuff the jumbo pasta shells, grate mozzarella cheese, and chop the fresh herbs with their littles plastic toddler knives. You can never start teaching them how to cook too young \u2013 especially easy pasta dishes!<\/p>\n

\"Stuffed<\/a><\/figure>\n

What are Stuffed Shells?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This stuffed shell recipe is essentially a super cheesy baked pasta dish, quite similar to lasagna or baked ziti. But instead of layers of pasta and cheese, you\u2019ll stuff jumbo pasta shells with cheese. And instead of a meat sauce, we top with homemade marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese blend. But you can easily use meat sauce if you prefer!<\/p>\n

Perfect comfort food for those nights you\u2019re craving Italian-style comfort food! We make it all the time in the chilly winter months and for family gatherings and holiday celebrations.<\/p>\n

I have Spicy\u00a0Stuffed Shells Fra Diavolo<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Caprese Stuffed Shells<\/a>\u00a0recipes here on the blog. And a lot of recipe will incorporate ingredients such as ground beef, Italian sausage, or even frozen spinach into the sauce!<\/p>\n

\"Homemade\"Homemade<\/a><\/figure>\n

Make the Homemade Marinara Sauce<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For this recipe, we\u2019re keeping things classic with a simple marinara sauce. But don\u2019t let the word \u2018classic\u2019 fool you into thinking that means plain or boring! Because it most certainly does not. This incredibly delicious homemade marinara sauce<\/a> uses onion, olive oil, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and fresh basil.<\/p>\n

Want to bulk it up with some protein? Feel free to add Italian sausage or ground beef to the sauce. You\u2019ll want to fully cook it, breaking it up as you do, until the meat is no longer pink. Then add it to the sauce recipe.<\/p>\n

\"Jumbo\"Jumbo<\/a><\/figure>\n

Let\u2019s Talk Ricotta Cheese Mixture<\/strong><\/h2>\n