Cheesy Three-Cheese Stuffed Shells: A Comforting Family Pasta Dinner

Classic Baked Stuffed Shells – Comforting Cheese Pasta

Dive into a plate of stuffed shells that merge tender pasta with a melty three-cheese filling, all nestled under a rich tomato sauce — your new go-to family-friendly weeknight dinner.

Why You’ll Love These Stuffed Shells

• Three Cheese Trio: Ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan blend for irresistibly creamy filling.
• Savory Tomato Sauce: A simple marinara base keeps each bite juicy and flavorful.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble in advance, then bake when you’re ready.
• Freezer-Ready: Freeze before baking for a quick future meal.
• Kid-Approved & Crowd-Pleasing: Perfect for busy families or casual dinner parties.

Ingredients for Cheesy Stuffed Shells

• 1 (12 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups marinara sauce, store-bought or homemade

Instructions to Perfectly Bake Stuffed Shells

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo shells for 8–10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, beaten egg, parsley, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth.
4. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
5. Spoon the cheese mixture into each shell, then arrange stuffed shells in the dish.
6. Top shells with remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle with the reserved ½ cup mozzarella cheese.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5–8 minutes until cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
8. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving garnished with extra parsley.

Pro Tips for Stellar Stuffed Shells

• Don’t Overcook Shells: Slightly undercook shells, as they’ll finish cooking in the oven.
• Customize Your Sauce: Add red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning for extra depth.
• Freezer Instructions: Assemble shells, cover tightly, and freeze up to 3 months. Bake from frozen—add 10 minutes covered.

Prep Time: 15 m

Cook Time: 50 m

Total Time: 1 h 5 m

Servings: 10 servings

Category: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Enjoy these cheesy baked stuffed shells.