Easy Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells – A Healthy Veggie Dinner

Introduction

Looking for a family-friendly dinner that’s delicious, wholesome, and satisfying? Easy Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells deliver maximum flavor with minimal fuss. These cheesy, veggie-packed shells are a healthier twist on classic comfort food—perfect for weeknight meals or when you want to please a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love These Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

This recipe is a true standout because it marries creamy ricotta cheese with tender spinach for a filling that’s both nourishing and indulgent. The jumbo pasta shells create perfect little pockets for the savory mixture, and a blanket of your favorite marinara sauce ties it all together. It’s a go-to dinner for anyone wanting a hearty but veggie-rich meal—kids and adults alike will ask for seconds!

Simple, Nutritious Filling Made Easy

For the ricotta and spinach filling, you’ll use a combination of creamy ricotta, vibrant spinach, mozzarella, parmesan, and aromatic herbs. Using frozen spinach keeps prep simple while maximizing nutrients. Just thaw, squeeze out any excess moisture, and mix with the cheeses and seasonings. You’ll get a creamy, protein-rich filling loaded with vitamin-packed greens in every bite.

Quick Assembly and Baking Tips

Once the jumbo pasta shells are cooked just until al dente, stuff each one with the spinach-ricotta filling using a spoon or piping bag for ease. Nestle the filled shells into a baking dish with a layer of marinara sauce—then top with a sprinkling of mozzarella and more sauce. Bake until bubbly and golden, then let cool slightly before serving for the flavors to meld and the filling to set.

Serving Suggestions for a Complete Healthy Dinner

Serve these stuffed shells with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a balanced meal. For extra veggies, toss in sautéed mushrooms or zucchini to the filling. A sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley on top adds a burst of color and freshness.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 generous servings (3–4 stuffed shells per person), making it perfect for a family meal. Each serving provides a good balance of protein, calcium, and fiber and typically contains around 350–400 calories, depending on the specific cheeses and sauce used.

Easy Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells – Recap

These shells combine the comfort of Italian-inspired pasta with the nutrition of leafy greens—delivering a better-for-you twist on a classic favorite. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for meatless Mondays or whenever you crave a savory veggie-forward feast.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain, then set aside to cool slightly.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix together ricotta, 1 cup of mozzarella, parmesan, egg, thawed spinach, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
4. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
5. Fill each shell generously with the ricotta-spinach mixture using a spoon or piping bag, and arrange them in the dish, open side up.
6. Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella on top.
7. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Let rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve warm.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is easy to double and makes excellent leftovers, making it ideal for batch cooking and meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe to plan your week’s dinners and generate a unified shopping list with all the ingredients you’ll need.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across all recipes in your meal plan
• Organizes groceries by store section for stress-free shopping
• Prevents overbuying and cuts down on forgotten items
• Keeps your weekly meal prep smooth and efficient

Pro tip: If you schedule this recipe along with others for the week, CookifyAI will help you consolidate ingredients like cheese and marinara sauce, so you shop smarter and reduce waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes