Discover the comforting embrace of Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells, a simple yet incredibly satisfying dinner solution that brings classic Italian flavors right to your table. This recipe is your secret weapon for a flavorful, budget-friendly meal that’s surprisingly easy to whip up, perfect for busy evenings or family gatherings.
Key Ingredients for Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells
- 1 box (12 oz) jumbo pasta shells
- 15 oz container full-fat cottage cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
How to Make Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells
This Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells recipe is a testament to how simple ingredients can create an incredibly delicious and satisfying meal. The beauty lies in its straightforward preparation, yielding plump pasta shells generously filled with a creamy, flavorful cottage cheese mixture, all nestled in a rich marinara sauce. Expect to spend around 15 minutes on prep and 30 minutes on baking, making it an ideal choice for any night of the week.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook according to package directions, subtracting 1-2 minutes from the suggested cook time. We want them to be al dente, as they will continue to cook in the oven. Once cooked, drain the shells and rinse them gently with cool water to prevent them from sticking together. Set them aside on a clean plate or baking sheet.
Prepare the Cottage Cheese Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and the large egg. Mix well until everything is thoroughly incorporated and creates a smooth, creamy base. Add the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Stir everything together until all the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the filling. This filling is where all the wonderful flavor begins to develop!
Assemble the Stuffed Shells: Spread about half of your marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. This will create a flavorful bed for the shells and help prevent them from sticking. Using a spoon or a small cookie scoop, carefully fill each cooked jumbo pasta shell with the cottage cheese mixture. Don’t overfill them, but aim for a generous spoonful in each shell to ensure a satisfying bite.
Arrange and Sauce: Arrange the filled pasta shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, tucking them in snugly. Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the tops of the stuffed shells, ensuring they are well-covered. This will help them stay moist and infused with flavor as they bake.
Top with Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the marinara sauce-covered shells. For an extra touch of cheesy goodness, you can also sprinkle a little more grated Parmesan cheese on top. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake to Perfection: Place the covered baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, carefully remove the aluminum foil and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown, and the sauce is simmering around the edges.
Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the shells to set slightly, making them easier to serve. Garnish with the remaining chopped fresh parsley, and enjoy your delicious Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells!
Why You’ll Love This Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells
You’ll adore these Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells for their incredibly creamy and satisfying interior, a delightful departure from traditional ricotta-filled versions yet just as comforting. Making this dish at home is incredibly cost-effective, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet-style Italian dinner without the hefty restaurant price tag. The subtle tang of cottage cheese, paired with aromatic garlic and fresh parsley, creates a flavor profile that’s both unique and delicious, making each bite a little revelation.
This recipe offers a fantastic alternative to classic lasagna, bringing you all the cozy, baked pasta goodness in a fun, individual shell format. It’s perfect for a weeknight meal that feels special, or for a potluck where everyone will be asking for the recipe. Don’t hesitate to try this delightful twist on stuffed shells; your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Leftover Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the dish is completely cooled before transferring it to the container to maintain optimal freshness and prevent condensation.
To reheat the stuffed shells, you have a few excellent options:
- Oven Reheating (Recommended for best texture): Place the desired portion of stuffed shells in an oven-safe dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last few minutes if you want to crisp up the cheese topping slightly.
- Microwave Reheating: For a quicker option, place a portion on a microwave-safe plate. Cover loosely with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Microwave on medium power in 30-60 second intervals, stirring gently in between, until heated through.
- Freezing for Future Meals: To freeze, allow the entire dish of Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells to cool completely. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap, then with a layer of aluminum foil. Alternatively, portion the cooled shells into individual freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. To reheat from frozen, it’s best to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat using the oven method described above. You can also reheat directly from frozen, but it will take longer and may require more careful monitoring to ensure even heating.
Final Thoughts
These Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells are a truly marvelous dish that proves comfort food can also be incredibly simple and economical. Give this recipe a try; you’ll find it’s a versatile, delicious, and utterly rewarding meal experience for any occasion.
Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook according to package directions, subtracting 1-2 minutes from the suggested cook time. We want them to be al dente, as they will continue to cook in the oven. Once cooked, drain the shells and rinse them gently with cool water to prevent them from sticking together. Set them aside on a clean plate or baking sheet.1 box jumbo pasta shells
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and the large egg. Mix well until everything is thoroughly incorporated and creates a smooth, creamy base. Add the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Stir everything together until all the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the filling. This filling is where all the wonderful flavor begins to develop!15 oz full-fat cottage cheese, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1 clove garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Spread about half of your marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. This will create a flavorful bed for the shells and help prevent them from sticking. Using a spoon or a small cookie scoop, carefully fill each cooked jumbo pasta shell with the cottage cheese mixture. Don’t overfill them, but aim for a generous spoonful in each shell to ensure a satisfying bite.1 jar marinara sauce
- Arrange the filled pasta shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, tucking them in snugly. Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the tops of the stuffed shells, ensuring they are well-covered. This will help them stay moist and infused with flavor as they bake.1 jar marinara sauce
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the marinara sauce-covered shells. For an extra touch of cheesy goodness, you can also sprinkle a little more grated Parmesan cheese on top.1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Place the covered baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, carefully remove the aluminum foil and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown, and the sauce is simmering around the edges.
- Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the shells to set slightly, making them easier to serve. Garnish with the remaining chopped fresh parsley, and enjoy your delicious Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells!1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley