Bring back pasta night with these easy stuffed shells.

Learn how to make stuffed shells, and add this to your weeknight rotation soon.

Making stuffed shells might seem intimidating, but it really is as easy as that.

Southern Living Stuffed Shells in the baking dish to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Stuffed shells can be prepared ahead and baked fresh before serving.

To make this dish ahead, prepare the pasta shells and stuff as directed.

Thaw the shells overnight in the refrigerator if frozen.

Southern Living Stuffed Shells ingredients

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When ready to serve, let the dish stand at room temperature while the oven preheats.

Bake as directed, adding a few minutes to the baking time as needed, and broil before serving.

Heat, covered, until hot throughout before serving.

Southern Living Stuffed Shells on a plate to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

you’re free to also reheat small portions in the microwave.

jarmarinara sauce(or 3 cups homemade sauce)

28piecesjumbo pasta shells, from 1 (12 oz.)

package

1(15 oz.)

Southern Living Stuffed Shells draining the spinach

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Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and set up a large colander in the sink.

Drop the spinach into the boiling water, stirring with each addition.

Drain the spinach and wring it out by the handful, then spread the spinach on a kitchen towel.

Southern Living Stuffed Shells wringing out the spinach

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Set aside until ready to use.

Cook the pasta shells for a minute less than the package directs, about 9 minutes, then drain.

Stir to mix well.

Southern Living Stuffed Shells draining the pasta

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In a medium bowl mix together the remaining half cup of Parmesan cheese and the mozzarella.

Use a teaspoon to form rounded portions of spinach filling, then gently stuff each into a cooked shell.

Place in the baking pan as you go.

Southern Living Stuffed Shells stirring together the filling

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Add cheese:

When all the shells are filled, top with the mozzarella mixture.

Cover the pan with foil, crimping it tightly around the rims.

Bake, then broil:

Bake in preheated oven 30 minutes.

Southern Living Stuffed Shells spreading the sauce in the pan

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Uncover the pan and turn on the broiler.

Place the pan under the broiler and watch carefully as it quickly browns the cheese.

Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Southern Living Stuffed Shells filling the shells and placing in the baking dish

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Frequently Asked Questions

Stuffed shells can be assembled and frozen, or frozen after baking.

Whichever way you choose, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed in the notes above.

The main difference between these dishes is the shape of the pasta.

Southern Living Stuffed Shells covering the shells with cheese

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While both are stuffed with a cheesy filling, manicotti are tubular while shells resemble, well, shells.

With their tubular shape, manicotti are slightly more difficult to stuff than their shell-shaped counterparts.

Southern Living Stuffed Shells covering the pan with foil

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Stuffed Shells on a cooling rack ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox