Indulge in a delightful and comforting meal with these stuffed shells. Perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion, this dish combines the rich flavors of marinara sauce and vegan ricotta cheese with the nutritious goodness of spinach. It's a satisfying and wholesome option that everyone will love.
When preparing this recipe, you might need to visit the supermarket for a few specific ingredients. Vegan ricotta cheese is a dairy-free alternative to traditional ricotta and can usually be found in the vegan or specialty cheese section. Jumbo pasta shells are larger than regular pasta shells and are typically located in the pasta aisle. Make sure to also pick up fresh spinach and a good-quality marinara sauce to enhance the flavors of the dish.
Ingredients For Stuffed Shells Recipe
Jumbo pasta shells: Large pasta shells that are perfect for stuffing with delicious fillings.
Marinara sauce: A rich tomato-based sauce that adds depth and flavor to the dish.
Vegan ricotta cheese: A dairy-free alternative to traditional ricotta, providing a creamy texture.
Spinach: Fresh, chopped spinach adds a nutritious element to the filling.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the garlic and spinach, adding a subtle richness.
Garlic: Minced garlic cloves that bring a fragrant aroma and flavor to the dish.
Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the filling and the sauce.
Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and balances the flavors.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the pasta shells, make sure to cook them al dente. This ensures they are firm enough to hold the ricotta-spinach mixture without falling apart. Additionally, after draining the shells, lay them out on a baking sheet to prevent them from sticking together. This will make the stuffing process much easier and more efficient.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
jumbo pasta shells - Substitute with large zucchini slices: Thinly slice zucchini lengthwise and use them as a low-carb, gluten-free alternative to pasta shells.
marinara sauce - Substitute with homemade tomato sauce: Use fresh tomatoes, garlic, and herbs to make a simple, fresh tomato sauce.
vegan ricotta cheese - Substitute with tofu ricotta: Blend firm tofu with lemon juice, nutritional yeast, and garlic to create a creamy, protein-rich ricotta alternative.
spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale provides a similar texture and nutritional profile, adding a slightly different flavor.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar fat content and can be used for sautéing with a neutral flavor.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can complement the dish well.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a savory umami flavor while still providing the necessary saltiness.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and can be used to maintain the dish's spice level without altering the color.
Other Alternative Recipes
How To Store / Freeze This Dish
- Allow the stuffed shells to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the pasta soggy.
- For short-term storage, place the stuffed shells in an airtight container and refrigerate. They will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
- If you plan to freeze the stuffed shells, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. This prevents them from sticking together.
- Once frozen, transfer the stuffed shells to a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag. Label with the date for easy tracking.
- To reheat refrigerated stuffed shells, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the shells in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
- For frozen stuffed shells, you can either thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or bake them directly from frozen. If baking from frozen, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), cover the dish with foil, and bake for 45-50 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes to allow the marinara sauce to bubble and the tops to brown slightly.
- To add extra flavor when reheating, sprinkle some nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan on top before baking.
- For a quick microwave option, place a few stuffed shells in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or wrap, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through.
- Always ensure the stuffed shells are heated thoroughly before serving, especially if they were frozen, to maintain food safety and optimal taste.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover stuffed shells in an oven-safe dish.
- Add a splash of marinara sauce over the top to keep them moist.
- Cover the dish with foil to prevent the pasta from drying out.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.
- Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes if you want a slightly crispy top.
Microwave Method:
- Place the stuffed shells in a microwave-safe dish.
- Add a bit of marinara sauce on top to maintain moisture.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent.
- Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
- Check and stir if necessary, then continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals until heated through.
Stovetop Method:
- Place the stuffed shells in a skillet or saucepan.
- Add a small amount of marinara sauce and a splash of water or vegetable broth to the pan.
- Cover and heat over medium-low heat.
- Stir occasionally to ensure even heating, cooking for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- Place the stuffed shells in the air fryer basket.
- Lightly spray with olive oil to keep them from drying out.
- Heat for about 8-10 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
Steam Method:
- Place the stuffed shells in a steamer basket.
- Add water to the bottom of the steamer pot.
- Cover and steam over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- This method helps retain moisture and prevents the pasta from drying out.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: used to bake the stuffed shells at the specified temperature.
Saucepan: used to sauté the garlic and cook the spinach mixture.
Mixing bowl: used to combine the vegan ricotta cheese and cooked spinach mixture.
Baking dish: used to arrange the stuffed shells and bake them with marinara sauce.
Foil: used to cover the baking dish to ensure even cooking.
Colander: used to drain the cooked pasta shells.
Wooden spoon: used to stir the garlic and spinach mixture in the saucepan.
Measuring cups: used to measure the marinara sauce and vegan ricotta cheese.
Measuring spoons: used to measure the olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
Knife: used to mince the garlic and chop the spinach.
Cutting board: used as a surface for chopping the spinach and mincing the garlic.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare the filling: Make the ricotta-spinach mixture while the pasta shells are cooking to save time.
Use pre-made sauce: Opt for store-bought marinara sauce to cut down on preparation time.
Chop in advance: Chop the spinach and garlic ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
Batch cooking: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.
Efficient assembly: Set up a stuffing station with all ingredients within reach to streamline the process.
Stuffed Shells Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 20 pieces Jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups Marinara sauce
- 1 cup Vegan ricotta cheese
- 1 cup Spinach, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Add chopped spinach, salt, and pepper. Cook until spinach is wilted.
- In a mixing bowl, combine vegan ricotta cheese and cooked spinach mixture.
- Stuff each pasta shell with the ricotta-spinach mixture.
- Spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Place stuffed shells on top.
- Pour remaining marinara sauce over the shells.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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