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Melissa Jo’s Stuffed Shells 🇮🇹

ByMelissa Jo Posted on Updated on
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If you’re searching for the best stuffed shells recipe, this is the one you’ll come back to again and again. These easy baked stuffed shells are filled with a rich, creamy ricotta mixture with shredded pork rib from your homemade sauce. That is actually the secret to the best stuffed shells. OUT OF THIS WORLD. You will need my Sauce for Stuffed Shells Recipe, too!

This isn’t just another pasta recipe — it’s the secret to perfect stuffed shells that come out cheesy, flavorful, and perfectly baked every single time. Whether you’re making them for a holiday, family dinner, or entertaining guests, this dish is guaranteed to impress.

Fair warning: once you serve these, everyone will ask for them at every gathering. And the best part? This versatile ricotta filling can also be used for manicotti, ravioli, or any baked pasta dish, making it a go-to recipe you’ll use over and over again.

I use these Le Creuset Salt Mill & Le Creuset Pepper Mill everyday for my recipes, the color is beautiful!

The pork ribs from the Sauce for Stuffed Shells are critical to this recipe. This is what takes it over the top! Print this recipe too, and make it first.

I have had this Hamilton Beach Food Processor for years and I love it! It is perfect for slicing, shredding, mincing, puree and it has a 10 cup bowl that is super easy to clean. 

I absolutely love this Vietri Bakers Blue Small Rectangular Serving/Baking Dish! This dish is durable, provides even heat distribution, and it is perfect for your deep dish casserole baking dish needs. I also love that it is dishwasher, microwave, freezer, and oven safe!

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Store in air-tight container for 3-5 days in refrigerator.

🤔 Common Questions

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! Definitely both the Sauce for Stuffed Shells and the shells. If I want to make it ahead of time I simply put it in the baking dish I am going to cook it in, and then I cover it tightly with plastic wrap first and then tin foil. Then I leave it in the freezer for up to two weeks. When you are ready to bake, allow it to come to room temperature, and then bake it according to the directions.
If you want you can make it up to three days before, leave it in the refrigerator, and then bake it according to the directions.

Can I use parmesan instead of Pecorino Romano?

I prefer Pecorino Romano but you can use parmesan instead!

Can I beef instead of pork in this recipe?

Yes! You can beef short ribs to build you sauce, slow simmer then, and shred them. Do the same process as I did with the pork!

A close-up of Melissa Jo's Stuffed Shells topped with marinara sauce, melted cheese, and herbs being lifted from a ceramic baking dish with a spatula. Other delicious stuffed shells are visible in the dish.

Melissa Jo’s Stuffed Shells

These easy baked stuffed shells are filled with a creamy, cheesy ricotta mixture and baked to perfection. A simple, crowd-pleasing pasta dish that’s perfect for holidays, dinners, and entertaining.
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Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 12 people
Calories 490 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Boil the jumbo shells in salted water according to package directions until al dente.
  • To make the ricotta mixture, in a bowl add ricotta, whisked egg, chopped parsley, chopped basil, grated pecorino romano, 8 oz of cubed up fresh mozzarella, salt, and cracked black pepper. Fold that together until combined.
  • Now, take the Homemade Stuffed Shell Sauce and add a cup of it into a food processor. Also, take one of the pork ribs out of the sauce and add it into the food processor as well. Just pulse that a few times until the pork is shredded. Then add the sauce and pork mixture into the bowl with the ricotta mixture. Fold that together until combined.
  • Lightly grease a baking sheet with a little bit of olive oil. Once the jumbo shells are al dente, drain them, and add them onto the greased baking sheet. Let them cool until they are cool enough to touch.
  • Once those shells are cool it’s time to assemble (this recipe makes enough to fill two baking dishes). Begin by adding about 1 cup of sauce to the bottom of the baking dishes making an even layer. Then begin stuffing the shells by adding a HEAPING spoonful of the ricotta mixture into each shell. Arrange the stuffed shells evenly in the baking dish over the layer of sauce. Once all the shells are stuffed and arranged in the baking dish, ladle some more sauce over the center of each stuffed shell (you can make it as saucy as you like). Then, roughly rip up the remaining fresh mozzarella (8 oz) and sprinkle the mozzarella over the top (4 oz per baking dish). Next, sprinkle over ¼ cup of grated pecorino romano evenly over the top (⅛ cup per baking dish). Lastly, garnish the top with an ⅛ cup of chopped fresh parsley (divide it evenly over both baking dishes) and a little bit of cracked black pepper.
  • Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes uncovered or until bubbly and piping hot. I baked one of the baking dishes the same day and froze the other one so I can bake it on Christmas day!

Video

YouTube video

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 30gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.002gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 614mgPotassium: 239mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 965IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 594mgIron: 1mg
Keyword christmas, family dinner, holiday, homemade sauce, italian, pasta bake, stuffed shells
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