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
- 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. - Prepare the Pasta Shells:
Cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly. - 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. - Stuff the Pasta Shells:
Carefully stuff each cooked pasta shell with the cheese mixture. Place the stuffed shells in the prepared baking dish. - 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. - 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. - 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