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Barefoot Contessa Stuffed Shells Recipe

Barefoot Contessa Stuffed Shells Recipe

Everyone loves a cozy pasta dinner at home. This Barefoot Contessa Stuffed Shells Recipe is a real winner. You will learn how to make Barefoot Contessa Stuffed Shells today.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6
Calories 380 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Baking Dish
  • Small Spoon
  • Aluminum Foil

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box JUMBO PASTA SHELLS
  • 15 oz RICOTTA CHEESE
  • 4 oz GOAT CHEESE
  • 1 cup PARMESAN CHEESE
  • 2 cups MARINARA SAUCE
  • 10 oz FRESH SPINACH
  • 1 large EGG
  • 2 cloves GARLIC
  • 1/4 cup FRESH BASIL
  • 1 tsp SALT
  • 1/2 tsp BLACK PEPPER

Instructions
 

Step 1:

  • Boil a large pot of salted water first. Add the jumbo shells to the boiling water. Cook them for about ten minutes until tender.

Step 2:

  • Drain the pasta shells in a large colander. Rinse them with cold water to stop cooking. Lay them flat on a tray to cool.

Step 3:

  • Chop the fresh spinach into very small pieces. Squeeze out any extra water from the spinach. This prevents the filling from becoming too watery.

Step 4:

  • Place ricotta and goat cheese in a bowl. Add the egg, garlic, and chopped spinach now. Stir the mixture until it is very smooth.

Step 5:

  • Pour half of the marinara sauce into the dish. Spread it evenly across the bottom of the dish. This prevents the pasta from sticking to it.

Step 6:

  • Take one cooled shell in your hand. Use a spoon to fill it with cheese. Place the stuffed shell into the baking dish.

Step 7:

  • Repeat this until all the shells are full. Pour the rest of the sauce over the shells. Sprinkle the extra Parmesan cheese on the top.

Step 8:

  • Cover the dish tightly with the aluminum foil. Bake it at 375 degrees for twenty minutes. Remove the foil and bake ten more minutes.

Notes

Cook the pasta shells for two minutes less. This keeps them firm during the long bake.
Always use full-fat ricotta for the best texture. Low-fat cheese can make the filling too runny.
Fresh herbs make a very big difference here. Use fresh basil instead of the dried kind.
Let the dish rest for five minutes after baking. This helps the cheese set before you serve.
Keyword Barefoot Contessa Stuffed Shells Recipe