What makes stuffed shells a good Christmas dish?

Stuffed shells are ideal for Christmas due to their comforting nature, ability to feed a crowd, and impressive presentation. Their creamy ricotta filling, hearty sauce, and baked golden finish evoke warmth and celebration, often allowing for festive ingredient additions like spinach or red pepper flakes.

Can you prepare Christmas stuffed shells in advance?

Absolutely! Stuffed shells are an excellent make-ahead Christmas meal. You can assemble them entirely (stuff, sauce, and cheese) and refrigerate for up to 24-48 hours before baking, or freeze them unbaked for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

What's the best cheese mixture for festive stuffed shells?

A classic and delicious Christmas cheese mixture typically includes ricotta for creaminess, Parmesan or Pecorino Romano for sharp, salty depth, and shredded mozzarella for melty goodness. For an extra festive touch, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or a small amount of crumbled goat cheese.

What kind of sauce is best for Christmas stuffed shells?

A rich marinara or a robust meat sauce (like a Bolognese) is traditionally best for Christmas stuffed shells. For a lighter, yet still festive, option, a creamy rosé sauce or even a brown butter sage sauce can be delightful, especially if focusing on a vegetarian filling.

How do you prevent stuffed shells from drying out when baking?

To prevent stuffed shells from drying out, ensure they are adequately covered with sauce before baking. You can also cover the baking dish with foil for the first 20-30 minutes of baking to trap moisture, removing it for the last 10-15 minutes to allow the cheese to brown and bubble.

Can I add meat to my Christmas stuffed shells?

Yes, adding meat is a popular choice for Christmas stuffed shells. Cooked ground beef, Italian sausage, or a mix of both, can be browned and mixed directly into the ricotta filling or incorporated into a hearty meat sauce to layer over the shells before baking. This adds significant flavor and protein.

Best Christmas Stuffed Shells Recipe: Easy, Cheesy & Festive 2025

Name: Best Christmas Stuffed Shells Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 box (12 ounces) jumbo pasta shells; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 pound mild or sweet Italian sausage, casings removed; 1 small yellow onion, finely diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided; 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and thoroughly squeezed dry; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped; 2 tablespoons fresh basil, finely chopped; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce or 3 cups homemade marinara; Cooking spray or extra olive oil for the baking dish

Best Christmas Stuffed Shells Recipe

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This festive stuffed shells recipe features jumbo pasta shells filled with a rich mixture of Italian sausage, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and spinach, baked in marinara sauce until bubbly and golden. Perfect for holiday gatherings and make ahead meals.

Author: Harmony
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baked
Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale

1 box (12 ounces) jumbo pasta shells
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound mild or sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and thoroughly squeezed dry
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh basil, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce or 3 cups homemade marinara
Cooking spray or extra olive oil for the baking dish

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta Shells: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Add the jumbo shells and cook according to package directions until al dente (about 9-10 minutes). Drain and rinse with cool water, then drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Prepare the Filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Add diced onion and cook for 5-6 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for one more minute. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool slightly. Add ricotta, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, 3/4 cup Parmesan, beaten egg, squeezed-dry spinach, parsley, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix until just combined.
Assemble the Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread 1 cup marinara sauce in bottom of 9×13 inch baking dish. Fill each cooked shell with cheese mixture and place seam-side up in dish. Pour remaining sauce over shells and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan.
Bake to Perfection: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For vegetarian version, omit sausage. Make ahead by assembling up to 2 days in advance and refrigerating until ready to bake. Leftovers reheat beautifully and flavors intensify overnight. Thaw frozen spinach completely and squeeze out all excess water to prevent watery filling.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 485
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 980mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 95mg

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