Jumbo pasta shells filled with creamy ricotta and a tender meatball, nestled into a cast-iron skillet, topped with tomato sauce and loads of cheese. It’s cozy, saucy, and exactly how we do stuffed shells around here.
Servings 6
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, European, Italian
Ingredients
30jumbo pasta shells
1egg
2cupsricotta cheese
1cupgrated Parmesan cheesedivided
6clovesgarlicminced
2teaspoonsItalian seasoning or fresh herbs
3cupslow moisture mozzarella-shredded-divided
Lemon zest
Nutmeg
Salt and pepper
About 30 frozen meatballs
Sauce Ingredients
3cupsmarinara sauce24 oz. jar
2tablespoonssugar
1/2teaspoongarlic powder
Splash of balsamic vinegar
Method
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cook pasta shells in salted water until al dente, then drain and drizzle with olive oil, toss and set aside.
Whisk egg, ricotta, 1⁄2 cup Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, garlic, Italian seasoning, lemon zest, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
Mix sauce ingredients.
Place 1 cup sauce in the bottom of a round 12” skillet or 9x9 pan
Stuff shells with filling and press a meatball on top. Arrange in pan.
Top with remaining sauce and remaining ingredients mozzarella.
Bake for 25 minutes until cheese is bubbly, then broil for 5 minutes to brown.
Top with remaining Parmesan and garnish with herbs.
Notes
I was able to fit about 25 shelves in a 12 inch cast-iron skillet. The recipe calls for 30 shells because they often break while cooking and that will ensure that you have enough.