The Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta is a delectable and heartwarming dish that perfectly embodies the spirit of the holidays. This recipe offers a delightful way to impress your guests with a flavor-packed meal that’s both comforting and elegant. It’s a fantastic solution for a show-stopping Christmas dinner without the usual fuss.
Key Ingredients for Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta
Here’s what you’ll need to create this magnificent Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta:
- 1 pound jumbo pasta shells: Choose good quality shells that will hold their shape and filling well.
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese: Full-fat ricotta is recommended for creaminess.
- 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach: Thawed and thoroughly squeezed dry to remove excess water. This step is crucial for preventing a watery filling.
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated is always best for superior flavor.
- 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese: Adds a sharp, salty depth to the filling.
- 1 large egg: Acts as a binding agent for the filling.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: For a subtle garlic aroma and taste.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg: A classic addition to cheesy pasta dishes, enhancing the overall flavor.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: To taste, adjust according to your preference.
- 24 ounces prepared marinara sauce: Use your favorite high-quality jarred sauce, or homemade if you prefer.
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese: For a gooey, melty topping.
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley: For garnish and a burst of freshness.
How to Make Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta
This Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta is incredibly easy to assemble, delivering a delicious and satisfying meal with minimal effort. Its creamy, cheesy filling nestled within tender pasta shells and bathed in a rich marinara sauce makes for a truly heavenly experience. With a preparation time of just 30 minutes and a cooking time of 25-30 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner or a special holiday treat that won’t keep you in the kitchen all day.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Pasta Shells: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook according to package directions until al dente. It’s important not to overcook them, as they will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the shells thoroughly and rinse with cold water to prevent them from sticking together. Lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet or clean kitchen towel to cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
Make the Spinach Ricotta Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, thawed and squeezed dry spinach, Parmesan cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese, egg, garlic powder, and nutmeg. Season generously with a pinch of salt and a good grind of black pepper. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until well combined and uniform. Taste the filling and adjust seasonings as needed.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour about 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a base. This will prevent the shells from sticking and add moisture.
Stuff the Pasta Shells: Carefully take each cooked jumbo pasta shell and fill it generously with the spinach ricotta mixture. You can use a small spoon or a piping bag (with a wide opening) for easier filling. Arrange the filled shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Don’t crowd them too much, as they will expand slightly during baking.
Add Sauce and Cheese: Once all the shells are filled and arranged, spoon the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the top of the stuffed shells, ensuring that most of them are covered. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the entire dish.
Bake the Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. If you desire a more browned and crispy cheese topping, you can briefly place the dish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove the Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the dish to set slightly, making it easier to serve. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before bringing it to the table. Serve hot and enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta
You’ll absolutely adore this Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta for its incredible combination of rich, creamy filling, tender pasta, and savory marinara. It’s the ultimate comfort food that feels incredibly gourmet without the high cost or complexity of a restaurant dish. Plus, making it at home means you control the quality of ingredients, ensuring a fresher, more flavorful experience than any store-bought frozen lasagna.
The star of the show isn’t just the robust ricotta and spinach filling; it’s also the delightful blend of Parmesan and Pecorino Romano, which elevates the savory notes. Just like a classic lasagna but without the layering hassle, this festive pasta delivers all the cheesy goodness with less effort. Don’t wait—gather your ingredients and treat yourself and your loved ones to this magnificent meal tonight!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Proper storage and reheating are key to enjoying your Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta leftovers. Once the dish has cooled completely to room temperature (within two hours of cooking), transfer any remaining portions to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, this dish freezes beautifully.
To freeze, allow the cooked and cooled Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta to cool completely. You can freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers or the entire dish in an aluminum foil pan, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and then foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. To reheat from the refrigerator, cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. For frozen thawed portions, increase baking time as needed. If reheating a single portion, a microwave on medium power works well, starting with 2-3 minutes and adding time until hot.
Final Thoughts
This Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of flavors, perfect for bringing warmth and joy to your holiday table. Its comforting embrace and delicious taste are sure to become a cherished part of your festive traditions. We wholeheartedly encourage you to try this easily achievable, utterly delightful recipe and create unforgettable memories with every satisfying bite.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the Pasta Shells: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook according to package directions until al dente. It’s important not to overcook them, as they will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the shells thoroughly and rinse with cold water to prevent them from sticking together. Lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet or clean kitchen towel to cool slightly while you prepare the filling.1 pound jumbo pasta shells
- Make the Spinach Ricotta Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, thawed and squeezed dry spinach, Parmesan cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese, egg, garlic powder, and nutmeg. Season generously with a pinch of salt and a good grind of black pepper. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until well combined and uniform. Taste the filling and adjust seasonings as needed.15 ounces ricotta cheese, 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, 1 large egg, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, Salt, freshly ground black pepper
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour about 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a base. This will prevent the shells from sticking and add moisture.24 ounces prepared marinara sauce
- Stuff the Pasta Shells: Carefully take each cooked jumbo pasta shell and fill it generously with the spinach ricotta mixture. You can use a small spoon or a piping bag (with a wide opening) for easier filling. Arrange the filled shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Don’t crowd them too much, as they will expand slightly during baking.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Once all the shells are filled and arranged, spoon the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the top of the stuffed shells, ensuring that most of them are covered. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the entire dish.24 ounces prepared marinara sauce, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Bake the Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. If you desire a more browned and crispy cheese topping, you can briefly place the dish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove the Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the dish to set slightly, making it easier to serve. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before bringing it to the table. Serve hot and enjoy!1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley