Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Tomato Passion Sauce Recipe

If you love cozy Italian comfort food, then you’re absolutely going to adore this Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Tomato Passion Sauce Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug—rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. Whenever I make this, it’s like bringing a little slice of an Italian trattoria right into my kitchen, and honestly, my family goes crazy for it every time.

You’ll find that this recipe works beautifully for special dinners or for those weekends when you want to impress but not stress. The tomato passion sauce is bursting with bright, fresh flavors that perfectly complement the creamy ricotta and tender spinach filling. Once you try this Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Tomato Passion Sauce Recipe, I’m betting it’ll quickly become your go-to for comfort food nights.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Tomato Passion Sauce Recipe shine, you want fresh, quality ingredients that blend well together. These pantry staples mix creamy, savory, and herby flavors to create a perfect balance in every bite.

• Olive oil: The base for our sauce—brings richness and carries flavors gently.
• Eschallots or shallots: Finely chopped to add mild, sweet onion notes without overpowering the sauce.
• Garlic cloves: Minced fresh garlic is a game-changer for that heady aroma and flavor.
• Bay leaf: Adds subtle warmth and herbal depth to the tomato sauce.
• Dried thyme and oregano: Classic Italian herb combo that elevates the sauce’s flavor complexity.
• Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor to make the sauce rich and vibrant.
• Tomato passata: Pureed tomatoes give a luxuriously smooth base—watch out for quality brands available at your local market.
• Chardonnay or dry white wine: Adds acidity and a delicate fruity note; you can swap this for extra vegetable stock if preferred.
• Vegetable stock: Keeps the sauce flavorful and moist without overpowering the tomato.
• Salt, white sugar, and black pepper: Balance and seasoning are essential to make the sauce sing.
• Frozen chopped spinach: Convenient and nutritious; just be sure to squeeze out excess moisture for the filling.
• Full-fat ricotta cheese: Creamy and tender—avoid low-fat versions as they can get dry.
• Parmesan cheese: Adds nuttiness and a lovely salty bite.
• Shredded cheese (mozzarella or any melting cheese): Adds gooey, melty texture everyone loves.
• Egg: Acts as a binder, helping the filling hold its shape inside the shells.
• Fresh garlic (for filling): Adds an extra layer of flavor inside the filling mixture.
• Nutmeg (optional): A hint of warmth that complements the ricotta and spinach beautifully.
• Jumbo pasta shells (conchiglioni): These are perfect for stuffing and require no pre-boiling.
• Fresh basil and extra parmesan: For garnishing and adding freshness when serving.

Variations

I love playing around with this Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Tomato Passion Sauce Recipe to suit different moods and dietary needs. You can easily swap ingredients or add extra veggies to keep things interesting and personalized.

• Meat lover’s version: Adding cooked Italian sausage or ground beef to the filling gives a hearty twist my family can’t resist.
• Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free jumbo shells and double-check your tomato passata for any additives—you’ll still get the same delicious experience.
• Extra veggies: Toss in sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini to the spinach filling for a veggie boost.
• Spicy kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce amps up heat and flavor just perfectly.

How to Make Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Tomato Passion Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Crafting the Tomato Passion Sauce

Start by heating olive oil in a small pot over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, toss in your finely chopped eschallots or onion, minced garlic, bay leaf, and the dried herbs. You’ll want to cook this mixture for around 3 to 4 minutes until the onion turns translucent and fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for a minute to deepen those flavors.

Next, pour in the white wine and ramp up the heat to high so it can simmer and reduce until mostly evaporated—this usually takes about 2 minutes and really strips away any sharpness. Then come the star players: the tomato passata, vegetable stock, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir everything well and let it simmer uncovered on low heat for about 20 minutes. You’ll start to see the sauce thicken and deepen in flavor—this is where the magic happens!

Step 2: Preparing the Creamy Spinach Ricotta Filling

While your sauce simmers, grab your thawed spinach and get ready to squeeze out every bit of moisture you can. This is crucial because watery filling means soggy shells later on. Once dry, toss the spinach into a large bowl and add your ricotta, parmesan, shredded cheese, egg, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and just a sprinkle of fresh nutmeg if you’re using it. Mix everything well until it’s beautifully combined and creamy.

Step 3: Stuffing and Assembling

Preheat your oven to 200°C (about 400°F). Now comes the fun part: stuffing those giant pasta shells. I like to use a small spoon or even a piping bag to get the mixture neatly inside each shell—don’t be shy, stuff them well! Pour most of your hot tomato passion sauce into a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish, then gently nestle each stuffed shell into the sauce. Some may peek above the surface, and that’s perfectly okay.

Step 4: Baking to Perfection

Cover the dish tightly with foil or a baking tray to trap steam and bake for 70 minutes—yes, that’s long, but it makes the shells tender and the filling luscious. After that, check if the shells are al dente; if not, just pop it back in covered for a bit longer. Finally, scatter your shredded mozzarella and parmesan over the top and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes until the cheese melts into golden perfection.

How to Serve Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Tomato Passion Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I typically finish this dish with a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan and torn fresh basil leaves. It adds a lovely fresh, herby brightness and extra savory punch that really makes each serving pop. Sometimes I even drizzle a little good-quality olive oil on top for that silky finish.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to counter the richness of the cheese, plus some garlic bread on the side to soak up every bit of that gorgeous sauce. Occasionally, I serve roasted asparagus for an easy, elegant touch.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I sometimes bake the stuffed shells in individual ramekins or small ceramic dishes—each guest gets their own personal cheesy delight. Another fun idea I’ve tried is layering stuffed shells in a casserole dish with alternating layers of extra sauce and cheese for a lasagna-inspired twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep very well in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer portions into airtight containers. It reheats wonderfully without losing moisture, especially if you add a little extra sauce before warming.

Freezing

Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Tomato Passion Sauce Recipe freezes beautifully. After baking and cooling completely, just portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

I usually reheat leftovers in a covered baking dish at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions covered with a damp paper towel to keep them moist. Just be sure not to overheat to avoid drying out the cheese filling.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Tomato Passion Sauce Recipe has become a beloved staple in my recipe box because it’s reliably delicious and surprisingly easy to pull together. The creamy filling paired with that vibrant tomato sauce feels like pure comfort with a fresh twist, a combo you’ll want to make again and again. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself and your loved ones to a meal that’s full of flavor and heart—I promise it’s well worth the time in the kitchen.

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