Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta
A colorful and festive pasta dish featuring jumbo shells stuffed with a creamy ricotta and spinach filling, topped with marinara and pesto to create red and green holiday cheer. A perfect vegetarian centerpiece for your Christmas table.
Equipment
- large pot
- mixing bowl
- baking dish
- aluminum foil
- spoon for stuffing shells
Ingredients
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup pesto sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook jumbo pasta shells in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta, spinach, Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Stuff each cooled pasta shell with the ricotta mixture.
- Spread half the marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange stuffed shells on top.
- Spoon remaining marinara sauce over half the shells, and pesto sauce over the other half for a festive red and green look.
- Sprinkle mozzarella over the top if using. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven, let cool slightly, and serve warm.
Notes
You can prepare this dish ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake. For extra richness, sprinkle with mozzarella before baking. Serve with garlic bread and a fresh salad for a complete holiday meal.