Pesto Ricotta Stuffed Shells (Printable)

Creamy ricotta and vibrant pesto fill jumbo pasta shells baked in rich tomato sauce.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 20 jumbo pasta shells

→ Filling

02 - 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
03 - ½ cup basil pesto
04 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1 large egg
07 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Sauce and Topping

09 - 2 cups marinara sauce
10 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
11 - 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
12 - Fresh basil leaves (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta shells until al dente following package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, basil pesto, 1 cup mozzarella, ½ cup Parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper. Stir until thoroughly blended.
04 - Spread 1 cup marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
05 - Stuff each pasta shell with 1–2 tablespoons of the ricotta filling, then arrange shells in the prepared dish.
06 - Pour remaining marinara sauce over stuffed shells. Sprinkle with ½ cup mozzarella and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese.
07 - Cover dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until sauce bubbles and cheese is golden.
08 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Comforting and creamy filling
  • Perfect for relaxed weekends
02 -
  • Contains milk egg and wheat (gluten)
  • Check store-bought pesto or marinara labels for possible nut or additional allergen content
03 -
  • Ensure pasta shells are well drained and cooled to prevent sticking
  • Cover with foil while baking to keep moisture in then remove for a golden top
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