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Christmas Stuffed Shells Recipe Card

Comforting Christmas Stuffed Shells

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These Christmas Stuffed Shells are the ultimate holiday comfort food! Jumbo pasta shells are filled with a creamy, flavorful ricotta cheese mixture, topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella, and baked to bubbly, golden perfection. A festive and crowd-pleasing dish perfect for Christmas dinner or any holiday gathering. The rich, cheesy filling and tender pasta create a delightful texture and unforgettable flavor that everyone will love. This is the perfect make-ahead meal that will bring joy to your table!

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (12 ounce) box jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook jumbo pasta shells according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
  2. While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess grease.
  3. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in 1 cup of the marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, chopped basil, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
  5. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the ricotta cheese mixture into each cooked pasta shell. Arrange stuffed shells in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  6. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  7. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly and the shells are heated through.
  8. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy these Christmas Stuffed Shells!

Notes

For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground chicken and ground beef. You can also add spinach or other vegetables to the ricotta cheese mixture. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, wrap the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 3 stuffed shells)
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg

Find it online: https://cookreel.com/christmas-stuffed-shells-recipe/

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