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    Spinach Stuffed Pasta Shells (no ricotta)

    Published: Jul 3, 2022 · Modified: Jul 3, 2024 · by Renana · I may get commission for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you.

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    Home » Recipes » Dinner » Spinach Stuffed Pasta Shells (no ricotta)

    Indulge in the perfect blend of flavors and textures with my delectable Spinach Stuffed Pasta Shells. This recipe combines the comforting goodness of pasta shells, a rich and savory tomato sauce, and a luscious spinach filling that's bound to tickle your taste buds. With a hint of nutmeg, the creaminess of mozzarella, and the aromatic essence of basil, these stuffed pasta shells promise a culinary adventure you won't want to miss.

    Stuffed pasta shells in a pan

    Vegetarian stuffed pasta shells

    Usually this dish contains 3 different cheese types in the filling, including ricotta cheese. This way the filling is more on the cheesy, creamy side.

    However my version of the dish is made with mozzarella and parmesan only (which are the other cheese types I mentioned above) and the spinach is the more significant filling ingredient. I find it makes the dish a bit lighter and more spinachy and herby. Don't worry, it's still cheesy and delicious!

    Another important thing to mention is that sometimes this dish also contains meat but my blog is kosher (and also vegetarian), so I don't share any meat and dairy recipes and this recipe has no meat at all. 

    Originally I shared this recipe in March, when Passover was coming, whether we wanted to admit it or not. This dish was my "get rid of chametz" recipe to start preparing for the holiday. And the spinach stuffed pasta shell dish is still relevant now, as  most of us probably have pasta in our pantry and we need to use it somehow! I had this large pasta shell package to use which inspired me to share this amazing spinach stuffed pasta shell recipe! Not only does it get you ready for no more chametz but it’s a great dinner recipe!

    Ingredients

    Pasta shells- large pasta shells often called jumbo shells too. It's easier when you have big shells to actually fill them with the filling. If you use other pasta shapes the outcome is more like a layered dish like lasagna. 

    Spinach- I used frozen chopped spinach that comes in cubes, you can use fresh spinach as well just cook it in a pan with a little oil then blend with a blender to have it fully chopped.

    Tomato sauce- I used store-bought tomato sauce, you can also make tomato sauce from scratch.

    Cheese-  You can add any other hard cheese you want like cheddar or gruyere if you prefer not to use mozzarella. 

    raw pasta shells

    Instructions

    The process of making the stuffed spinach pasta shell dish starts with the pasta, of course. The pasta needs to be cooked before stuffing. Then you mix the filling ingredients in a bowl. Start by adding some tomato sauce to the bottom of the baking pan. Then arrange the cooked pasta on top of the sauce layer and pipe the filling to each pasta shell.

    What is the best way to stuff shells?

    I find that the best way to stuff shells is to transfer the filling to a piping bag, it's clean and easy to fill each shell.  (If you don’t have a piping bag, you can fill the shells with a teaspoon instead but it's a bit more messy).

    Add more tomato sauce on top of the stuffed shells, sprinkle parmesan cheese, cover and bake for half an hour. The whole process is very simple and it is only a matter of assembling everything together. The outcome has a rustic look and the flavor is just divine! 

    filling shells with spinach batter

    Substitutions tips and more

    • Note that if you have any other pasta types, this recipe still applies. All you need to do is layer the filling instead of actually filling the pasta. Something like making lasagna but with different layers. This filling recipe can work to fill cannelloni too, which are basically rolled lasagna sheets. 
    • If you use frozen spinach and need to thaw it, I like to place it in a colander on top of a pot with boiling water. Mix very gently and try not to break the cubes completely. Once thawed, I just take the colander out of the water pot and transfer the spinach to a mixing bowl to combine with the other filling ingredients. 
    • If you want to add more vegetables to the dish and make it richer and healthier, you can add roasted carrots, mushrooms and peppers to the filling. Roast them separately and when ready, chop them into small pieces and mix with the rest of the filling.

    What to serve with stuffed pasta shells

    If you are wondering what side dishes go with this delicious spinach stuffed shell dish I have some great ideas below. In general any salad works or another option is to serve soup as an entree and then the stuffed shells for a great filling, hearty dinner. 

    Since this dish contains dairy, it also fits the Shavuot holiday meal as well. Another idea is to serve it during Hanukkah when you need a tasty dish to balance all the fried food. Often Hanukkah is all about dairy meals so this dish is perfect for that. As I mentioned, I used it as a "get rid of chametz" dish so it really is a great dinner any time and goes with any side dish you like to have. here are my side dish suggestions:

    1. Pear salad 

    2. Orange vegetable soup

    3. Mushroom quiche

    Other pasta recipes

    If you like this recipe check out my other pasta recipes:

    1. Zucchini pasta bake
    2. One tray creamy mushroom pasta
    3. Pasta salad

    For more dinner recipes, explore my dinner recipe index. 

    • zucchini fritters
      Baked Zucchini Fritters
    • green tahini dip in a bowl
      Lemon Herb Tahini
    • tzatziki sauce in a bowl
      Homemade Tzatziki
    • Roasted Fennel

    Make this spinach stuffed pasta shells today!

    Whether you're preparing a cozy family dinner or impressing your guests, these stuffed shells will leave everyone craving for more. So, let's dive into the step-by-step instructions and create a dish that's as delightful to make as it is to savor.

    Stuffed pasta shells in a pan

    Spinach Stuffed Pasta Shells

    Pan-baked vegetarian spinach stuffed pasta shells dish with red sauce and cheese. Delicious dairy dish for a hearty dinner. Made with spinach, pasta shells and tomato sauce- the perfect Italian combo that the whole family will love.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 35 minutes mins
    Total Time 50 minutes mins
    Course Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound (500 grams) pasta shells
    • 2 cans tomato sauce (800 grams total | ~28oz)
    • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

    For the filling:

    • Frozen chopped spinach (I used the one that comes in cubes, 600 grams | ~21oz)
    • ⅔ cup grated mozzarella cheese
    • 1 egg
    • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
    • 2-3 tablespoon chopped basil leaves
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • Salt and pepper, by your taste

    Instructions
     

    • Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the box and set aside.
    • Thaw the frozen spinach completely.
    • Add the thawed spinach to a bowl and mix with the other filling ingredients.
    • Transfer the filling to a piping bag (or use a teaspoon).
    • Set the oven to 180°C / 350°F with the fan.
    • Add a layer of tomato sauce to a baking pan (9x13).
    • Arrange the cooked pasta shells on the sauce layer.
    • Pipe the filling into the shells.
    • Cover the rest with the tomato sauce.
    • Sprinkle the parmesan cheese.
    • Cover with foil.
    • Bake for 30 minutes covered.
    • Remove cover and bake for more 4-5 minutes.
    • Cool at room temperature.
    • Munch and enjoy!

    Notes

    * If you have any other pasta types that is not shaped as big shells, this recipe still applies. All you need to do is layer the filling instead of actually filling the pasta. Something like making lasagna but with different layers. 
     
    Keyword cheese stuffed pasta shells, recipe for stuffed pasta shells with spinach, spinach stuffed pasta shells, spinach stuffed pasta shells recipes, vegetarian stuffed pasta shells
    Spinach Stuffed Pasta Shells in baking pan
    one pasta shell stuffed with spinach on a pink plate
    closer look at the dish

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      Easy Corn Fritters

    Filed Under: Dinner, Hanukah, Holidays, Shavuot Tagged With: Pasta

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    1. Samantha

      September 18, 2022 at 6:16 am

      5 stars
      bookmarked!!, I love yourr site!

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      October 02, 2022 at 2:22 pm

      5 stars
      yes

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    Renana Spiegel Levkovich

    Hello!

    I'm Renana and I share kosher recipes for Shabbat, yummy parve desserts, and Jewish holiday recipes - and so much more. I share easy kosher recipes for the whole family, along with some pretty great photographs, and easy-to-follow instructions. Enjoy!

    Contact me for any question →


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