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Home Pasta bakes

Spinach ricotta stuffed shells

By:Nagi
Published:20 Mar '23Updated:16 Aug '23
128 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

There’s no need to pre-cook shells before you stuff them. Such a pain messing around with hot floppy shells! Just bake in loads of sauce and they’ll cook in the oven. These jumbo shells, called conchiglioni in Italian, are stuffed with spinach and ricotta. Serve with a Mega Italian Salad and garlic bread for the perfect dinner.

Close up photo of Spinach ricotta stuffed shells

Stuffed shells

I don’t know if you’ve ever tried, but stuffing hot cooked pasta shells is a nightmare. Slipper suckers that they are, and they break so easily.

There’s no need to suffer through all that! It’s much easier to stuff raw, uncooked pasta shells and cook them in the oven simply by covering them in a LOT of sauce. It 100% works. It’s the way I’ve been cooking cannelloni/manicotti all my life.

The trick is simply to start with a large volume of watery sauce that the pasta shells cook in. Not dissimilar to cooking pasta in a pot of boiling water, actually. And by the end, that watery sauce reduces down into a lovely thick pasta sauce!

Spinach ricotta stuffed shells uncooked
How to make Spinach ricotta stuffed shells

This method of cooking also deals with another pet-peeve of mine: dry pasta shells. No worries about that here, we end up with plenty of tomato sauce for serving!

Freshly baked Spinach ricotta stuffed shells

What you need for stuffed pasta shells

While there’s many stuffing options for pasta shells, the most popular is probably spinach and ricotta and that’s what I’ve gone with today. Sorry for being predictable? 🙂

Jumbo shells (conchiglioni)

Jumbo shells (conchiglioni is the proper Italian name) are more readily available these days in Australian grocery stores (Woolies, Coles, Harris Farms) and the primary reason I went on a stuffed shells bender.

Jumbo pasta shells (conchiglioni)
Jumbo pasta shells (conchiglioni)

They are a little more expensive than typical pasta shapes – around $5 for a 500g / 1 lb packet. But they go further. You’ll need 250g / 8 oz for this recipe which serves 5 generously, possibly 6. (Let me remind you, I have a rather robust appetite! My serving portions are not skimpy).


The spinach ricotta stuffing

Here’s what you need for the stuffing. Exactly the same combination I use for spinach ricotta cannelloni, spinach ricotta rolls and the fan-favourite spinach ricotta rotolo.

For a meat option, use the beef filling in Beef Cannelloni instead.

Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells ingredients
  • Spinach – use frozen for convenience (thaw, remove excess water before using), or fresh if you’ve got an abundance of it

  • Ricotta – be sure to use a food quality full fat, creamy one. Tip for Australians: avoid Perfect Italiano tub in the fridge aisle of major supermarkets. It’s quite powdery and unpleasant. My favourite is Paesanella which is sold at Harris Farms and over the deli counter at large supermarkets.

  • Shredded cheese – A flavoured one is best, like cheddar, tasty, gruyere. Save the mozzarella for the topping (which melts well but doesn’t have that much flavour).

  • Parmesan – don’t skip this! It adds extra savouriness and seasoning to the filling. Just store bought finely shredded or grated is fine, or grate your own.

  • Garlic – because it makes everything better

  • Egg – for binding.

  • Nutmeg – optional, but it’s a lovely touch. I use it in almost all my spinach ricotta fillings.

  • Salt and pepper


The sauce

I find this method of cooking stuffed shells from raw works best with a smooth pasta sauce rather than one with lumps of crushed or diced tomatoes. The shells cook more evenly and when it finishes baking, you’re left with a lovely smooth pasta sauce.

Ingredients in Spinach ricotta stuffed shells
  • Tomato passata – Pureed, strained plain tomatoes, sometimes labelled “tomato puree” in the US (here’s a photo of Mutti tomato passata sold at Walmart). Readily available in Australian supermarkets nowadays, alongside pasta sauces. Excellent for making smooth sauces rather than simmering for ages to breakdown crushed or diced tomato. More on tomato passata here.

    Substitutes – US Hunt’s tomato sauce is a perfect alternative. Otherwise, use crushed canned tomato then puree (like I do for cannelloni/,manicotti).

  • Eschalots –Also known as French onions, and called “shallots” in the US. They look like baby onions, but have purple-skinned flesh, are finer and sweeter. Not to be confused with what some people in Australia call “shallots” ie the long green onions.

    I like using eshalots rather than onions because they are finer so they almost disappear into the sauce so you get a lovely smooth sauce. However, you can substitute with a small onion.

  • Herbs and spices – Fresh garlic, bay leaf, dried thyme and dried oregano.

  • Tomato paste – To intensify the tomato flavour and thicken the sauce slightly.

  • White wine – Adds depth of flavour / complexity into the sauce in a way only wine can! It’s only 1/3 of a cup and we simmer to cook out the alcohol. Substitute with more stock, or just skip it.

  • Vegetable stock – We need a whole litre / quart (4 cups) because we’re making a LOT of VERY watery sauce here! Just watch the video and you’ll see how it all gets absorbed by the pasta shells, leaving behind a lovely thickened pasta sauce for serving.

  • Sugar – Just a smidge, to take the sour edge off the tomato paste we’re using (tomato paste is sour!).


How to make stuffed shells

It’s actually extremely straight forward and the recipe has a nice flow to it: make the sauce first, then while it’s simmering, stuff the shells. Then assemble and bake!

How to make sauce for stuffed shells

How to make Spinach ricotta stuffed shells
  1. Sauté aromatics – Cook the garlic and eschalots with the herbs in a large saucepan or small pot.

  2. Tomato paste and wine – Cook off the tomato paste for 1 minute (this takes the raw sour edge off and deepens the flavour) then add the wine and simmer rapidly on high heat until it’s mostly evaporated.

  3. Simmer 20 minutes – Add the remaining ingredients then simmer on low for 20 minutes with the lid off.

  4. Watery sauce! The sauce will be VERY watery and there will be loads. Have faith! You need it all – the shells absorb most of that liquid. Keep the sauce hot – we want to use it hot.

Stuffing & bake

How to make Spinach ricotta stuffed shells
  1. Stuffing – Mix the spinach ricotta stuffing ingredients together.

  2. Stuff the raw uncooked shells. I find it easiest to use a small offset spatula (like a butter knife with a bend in it, super useful kitchen tool). Else a knife, spoon – whatever you find makes it easiest for you.

  3. Assemble – Pour the hot sauce into a 23 x 33cm / 9 x 13″ baking dish. Then gently place the pasta shells in. They will be mostly submerged, some might semi-float. But you want most if not all of the pasta submerged under liquid so it cooks evenly (a bit poking above is fine as it will steam-cook).

  4. Bake 70 min covered – Cover the dish with a baking tray (or foil) and bake for 70 minutes. Yes, really, it will take that long!

    Why a baking tray? Easy way to cover the baking dish, no waste, no burning yourself, and it lets a little bit of steam escape to help the sauce reduce just the right amount.

  5. 15 min bake, cheesed – Remove the baking dish from the oven. Sprinkle with cheese then bake for a further 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.

  6. Serve! Scoop and serve. Marvel at how the shells are perfectly al dente and how there’s so much lovely sauce to serve it with!

Spinach ricotta stuffed shells fresh out of the oven

Bowl of Spinach ricotta stuffed shells

Serve with a quick rocket balsamic salad (that’s arugula, to those of you in the States!) or if you’re out to impress, a Mega Italian Salad (it lives up to its name). Add a side of garlic bread and tiramisu to finish, and that’s pretty much my idea of a perfect dinner. When am I coming over?? – Nagi x

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Watch how to make it

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Spinach ricotta stuffed shells close up photo

Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells (Conchiglioni)

Author: Nagi
Prep: 25 minutes mins
Cook: 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins
Total: 1 hour hr
Mains
American-Italian, Italian, Western
4.92 from 50 votes
Servings5 – 6 people
Tap or hover to scale
Print
Recipe VIDEO above. There's no need to mess around stuffing hot floppy shells. Just stuff uncooked jumbo pasta shells and bake in loads of sauce! Bonus: The shells absorb the flavour of the sauce, and there's plenty of tasty sauce for serving. Because nobody likes dry pasta shells!

Ingredients

Sauce (you need LOTS!):

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 eschallots/shallots or 1 small onion , finely chopped (Note 1)
  • 4 garlic cloves , finely minced
  • 1 bay leaf , fresh (sub dried)
  • 1/2 tsp each dried thyme and oregano
  • 1/3 cup tomato paste
  • 700g / 25 oz tomato passata (US: tomato sauce) (Note 2)
  • 1/3 cup Chardonnay or other dry white wine (sub more stock)
  • 4 cups vegetable stock/broth , low sodium
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp white sugar
  • 1/3 tsp black pepper

Filling:

  • 250g / 8 oz frozen chopped spinach , thawed (Note 3)
  • 500g / 1 lb ricotta , full fat please (Note 4)
  • 1/2 cup parmesan , finely shredded
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (Mozzarella, Colby, Cheddar, Tasty, Gruyere, Swiss, anything!)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 large garlic clove , minced
  • Grated fresh nutmeg (just a sprinkling) or 1/8 tsp nutmeg powder (optional)
  • 3/4 tsp cooking / kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Stuffed shells

  • 250g / 8 oz jumbo pasta shells (conchiglioni) (Note 3)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 1/2 cup parmesan , shredded
  • Fresh basil and parmesan , for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Sauce:

  • Sauté – Heat oil in a small pot over medium high heat. Add garlic, onion, bay leaf, thyme and oregano. Cook for 3 – 4 minutes until the onion is translucent. Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
  • Reduce wine – Add wine, increase heat to high and let it simmer rapidly until mostly evaporated (about 2 minutes).
  • Simmer – Add passata, stock, sugar, salt and pepper. Stir then simmer on low *(uncovered) for 20 minutes. Use while hot.

Filling:

  • Squeeze spinach – Grab handfuls of spinach and squeeze out excess water.
  • Mix filling – Place spinach in a bowl with remaining Filling ingredients. Mix well.

Assemble & Bake:

  • Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F (180°C fan).
  • Stuff – Stuff UNCOOKED shells with spinach ricotta filling. Stuff them full!
  • Assemble – Pour the hot tomato sauce in a 23 x 33 cm / 9 x 13" baking dish. Gently place the stuffed shells in – most will be submerged, some may poke above surface.
  • Bake – Cover with a baking tray (or foil) then bake for 70 minutes.
  • Cheese it! Check the shells – they should be al dente! (If not, return to oven, covered). Sprinkle with mozzarella then parmesan. Bake 15 minutes until melted.
  • Serve, garnished with extra parmesan and basil if desired!

Recipe Notes:

1. Eschallots / shallots  – Also known as French onions, and called “shallots” in the US. They look like baby onions, but have purple-skinned flesh, are finer and sweeter. Not to be confused with what some people in Australia call “shallots” ie the long green onions.
2. Tomato passata – Pureed, strained plain tomatoes, sometimes labelled “tomato puree” in the US (here’s a photo of Mutti tomato passata sold at Walmart). Readily available in Australian supermarkets nowadays, alongside pasta sauces. Passata is excellent for making smooth sauces. More on tomato passata here.
Subs – US Hunt’s tomato sauce is a perfect sub. Can also used crushed canned tomato then puree (like I do for cannelloni/,manicotti).
3. Spinach – I use frozen spinach for the convenience and also because I’m a sucker for the whole “snap frozen” thing. To use fresh, use about 500g/1 lb sliced spinach leaves or baby spinach leaves, saute with a little oil to wilt down and remove excess liquid. Cool then proceed with recipe.
4. Ricotta – Low fat ricotta is harder and drier, so it’s more difficult to pipe into the tubes plus once baked, is not as juicy and moist. Avoid Perfect Italian brand in tubs (Australia, Woolies, Coles etc), has an unpleasant powderiness about it, I find. My favourite is Paesanella.
5. Giant shells (conchiglioni) – available at large grocery stores in Australia these days (Woolies, Coles), also Harris Farms (Syd/Bris) and Italian / delis etc. No need to pre-cook – makes it a nightmare to stuff, the slippery suckers that they are! Just need loads of thin pasta sauce.
I know 250g/8z doesn’t sound like much but it really does serve 5 if not 6 people (with normal appetites).
6. Leftovers – refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze, thaw, then reheat covered in microwave for best results.
Nutrition per serving, assuming 5 servings (quite generous). 

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 407gCalories: 798cal (40%)Carbohydrates: 69g (23%)Protein: 43g (86%)Fat: 39g (60%)Saturated Fat: 20g (125%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.004gCholesterol: 145mg (48%)Sodium: 1716mg (75%)Potassium: 1338mg (38%)Fiber: 8g (33%)Sugar: 14g (16%)Vitamin A: 8080IU (162%)Vitamin C: 23mg (28%)Calcium: 792mg (79%)Iron: 6mg (33%)
Keywords: pasta shells, stuffed shells
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

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Hi, I'm Nagi!

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128 Comments

  1. Molly J says

    December 7, 2023 at 11:35 am

    5 stars
    I love this recipe! It’s not difficult or fiddly but it does take some time to fill the shells, though I find it so relaxing to do.

    Reply
  2. Michelle Bella Baldwin says

    December 3, 2023 at 12:33 pm

    5 stars
    Love this, well done Nagi

    Reply
  3. Marnie says

    December 1, 2023 at 10:00 pm

    5 stars
    Really delicious. The shells were an easy to fill alternative to cannelloni tubes. Highly recommend

    Reply
  4. Ron says

    November 20, 2023 at 3:26 am

    4 stars
    Ok so the final product turned out great…..But I couldn’t stuff the shells cuz I couldn’t find any here in Morocco….So I went with regular sized shells an layered the cheese stuffing on top….Very good when mixed…..

    Reply
  5. Cree says

    November 18, 2023 at 11:03 am

    5 stars
    I’ve made this once and absolutely loved it. Any chance it can be made ahead? Would like to make for thanksgiving. Or if made super early, what’s the best temp to warm at?

    Reply
  6. Elaine K says

    October 22, 2023 at 4:36 am

    5 stars
    Wow. I had this bookmarked for quite some time and today was the day. This is so delicious. Quite easy to put together with very little mess. My home smells wonderful. Deleted all the other stuffed shell recipes. Thanks!

    Reply
  7. Kim says

    October 5, 2023 at 7:11 pm

    5 stars
    I have now made stuffed pasta shells several times. Wasn’t sure if freezing it was a good thing, but I did prep another tray of the stuffed shells and kept them in the fridge for four days, tightly covered with cling film, then loaded them into the oven container and poured the sauce around and it was just as amazing, if not better from a flavour point of view.
    I have to say a very big thankyou to Nagi. I’m way too lazy as I get older to stuff cooked pasta shells. Nagi, you have provided us with the best tip ever. 5 stars for the recipe, the tip, Nagi and of course another five for Dozer.

    Reply
  8. Emma says

    September 25, 2023 at 7:20 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! The smell of it cooking was soooo good and then the taste was just as good. Definitely a winner . Thanks Nagi

    Reply
  9. Jancy says

    September 21, 2023 at 11:04 am

    5 stars
    We had this for dinner today and it was superb. There were plenty of compliments from my husband, my (and your!!) biggest fan. Thanks, Nagi. I can always count on your recipes to be exceptional 🇨🇦

    Reply
  10. Maggie says

    September 12, 2023 at 11:56 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious recipe! I made for my partner and his friend and they loved it! I wanted to add more protein, so I brainstormed a bit and made your favourite bolognese sauce, and then in the last 15 minutes I added a layer of the bolognese and then finished with the cheese to bake! Thanks Nagi!

    Reply
  11. Jo says

    September 10, 2023 at 6:41 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Nagi

    I have made this before and loved it, would now like to try a meat version to use the other half of the pasta packet!

    Could you please confirm – when using the meat filling from the cannelloni, do we still use the sauce recipe from this stuffed shells recipe? And still take 1 cup of the sauce to mix with the meat?

    Thankyou so much, can’t wait to try it 😊

    Reply
  12. Andrea says

    September 3, 2023 at 8:52 am

    Wondering if I could just add som water to store bought sauce?

    Reply
  13. Celia Lane says

    September 2, 2023 at 4:27 pm

    Amazing, however I chose Maniche pasta, filled vertical, baked horizontal, and did 1.5 portions of spinach. Absolutely awesome, with crumbed veal and a simple salad on the side….best dinner ever!!!!!!!!!!! and so easy to make 🙂

    Reply
  14. Debbie says

    August 18, 2023 at 10:19 am

    Looking forward to trying this. Could you replace the tomato with a pumpkin puree to end up with a pumpkin sauce?

    Reply
  15. Sunny says

    August 10, 2023 at 11:11 am

    5 stars
    Made this for a dinner gathering last night. I bought the pasta shell in the wrong size and ended up spending way too much time filling them! Otherwise a straightforward and delicious recipe which received very good feedback. I paired it with a side of smashed Asian cucumber salad.

    Reply
  16. Phoebe says

    August 2, 2023 at 10:10 am

    5 stars
    Second time making this last night and yet again did not disappoint. Didn’t have wine though and feel like it gave it a great flavour last time. Served with a leafy salad and YUM. Love freezing this for leftovers too.

    Reply
  17. Vika says

    August 1, 2023 at 5:10 pm

    4 stars
    Don’t know why but mine turned out very watery … Nice taste though!

    Reply
  18. Manomay says

    August 1, 2023 at 3:10 am

    Hi Nagi, this looks delicious!!

    Is it possible to leave out or substitute the egg that was used to bind the filling?

    Best,
    Manomay

    Reply
  19. Terese says

    July 21, 2023 at 6:47 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for this wonderful recipe. Reheated it over three days and was still delicious! I served it with zucchini, cut in half, covered with a bit of olive oil, salt and paprika, cooked on a griddle. A perfect accompaniment!

    Reply
  20. Tracey says

    June 27, 2023 at 8:22 pm

    5 stars
    AMAZING!!!!
    Made this tonight and I think I will make this over cannelloni every time. Flavours were spot on, as usual 😉 and the hubby loved it.
    Nagi you’ve done it again, thank you!

    Reply
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I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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