Gino’s Italian Kitchen-Inspired Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy blend of ricotta, spinach, and Parmesan, baked in a savory marinara sauce for a comforting Italian meal. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes pairs shells jumbo pasta shells, ricotta cheese, chopped fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 20 shells jumbo pasta shells
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 4 cups, chopped fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 20 jumbo pasta shells for 8 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 4 cups chopped fresh spinach and cook for 3 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1 large egg, the sautéed spinach mixture, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Mix well.
- Step 4: Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Stuff each cooked shell with about 2 tbsp of the ricotta-spinach mixture and place them in the dish.
- Step 5: Pour remaining 2 cups of marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, then sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Step 6: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden on top. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Gino’s Italian Kitchen-Inspired Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Gino’s Italian Kitchen-Inspired Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep shells jumbo pasta shells from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Gino’s Italian Kitchen-Inspired Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Gino’s Italian Kitchen-Inspired Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Gino’s Italian Kitchen-Inspired Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
