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Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta

Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta

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  • Author: Jake
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner, Holiday
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian, Christmas
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta is a perfect holiday dish that features vibrant green spinach pasta stuffed with a savory cheese mixture. Topped with a rich tomato sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan, it’s the ideal dish for your Christmas table or a festive family meal.


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Stuffed Pasta:

  • 12 large pasta shells (such as jumbo shells or cannelloni)
  • 2 cups (300g) ricotta cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups (150g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup (50g) cooked spinach, drained and chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Sauce:

  • 2 cups (475ml) marinara sauce or tomato sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

For Topping (optional):

  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish
  • Extra grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven:
    Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little olive oil or cooking spray.
  2. Prepare the Pasta Shells:
    Cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Make the Cheese Filling:
    In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, cooked spinach, egg, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
  4. Stuff the Pasta Shells:
    Carefully stuff each cooked pasta shell with the cheese mixture. Place the stuffed shells in the prepared baking dish.
  5. Make the Sauce:
    In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the marinara sauce, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer for 5-7 minutes, then pour the sauce over the stuffed pasta shells.
  6. Bake the Pasta:
    Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pasta is heated through and the sauce is bubbling.
  7. Serve:
    Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes to slightly crisp the top. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

  • For a creamier sauce, you can mix in a little heavy cream or half-and-half into the marinara sauce.
  • You can make this dish ahead of time by assembling the pasta and sauce, then covering and refrigerating it for up to 1 day before baking.
  • You can substitute ricotta with cottage cheese if preferred.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 330
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 510mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 37g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 14g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg