A baking dish filled with jumbo pasta shells stuffed with ricotta and spinach, topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese.

Meatball Stuffed Shells with Ricotta and Marinara

Author

  • A smiling woman with wavy, light brown hair wears a green apron over a blue denim shirt, standing with one hand on her hip against a dark background.

    I started my food vlogging journey in 2024, when I decided it was time to share my love of cooking with folks near and far. I grew up learning the ins and outs of the kitchen from my grandparents and my mama — they taught me that a good meal can bring people together like nothing else. Now, I’m proud to carry on their passion and share those same comforting flavors with y’all.

Jumbo shells hold a spoonful of seasoned ricotta and one Italian meatball each before baking in marinara with Parmesan on top. This is a warm pasta dish built around individually stuffed shells arranged in a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Watch How to Make It

A person holds an uncooked stuffed pasta shell above a large blue pot filled with tomato sauce. Their apron has images of vegetables and a skillet on it.
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Ingredients You'll Need

The filling uses ricotta, chopped parsley, chopped basil, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan. Set aside a little of the Parmesan before combining the remaining cheese with the ricotta and seasonings, since it is sprinkled over the stuffed shells before baking.

A person holds a pasta shell filled with cheese over a pot of red tomato sauce, preparing to add it to the dish. A red colander with more pasta shells is to the right.

Jumbo shells, frozen Italian meatballs, and marinara complete the dish. Cook the shells according to their package directions before filling them.

A person pours tomato sauce from a jar into a large white pot on a kitchen counter. Their apron has a colorful cooking-themed design.

How To Make It

Preheat the oven to 350°. Place the meatballs on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.

While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the pasta shells according to the package directions. Once cooked, rinse the shells under cold water and drain well.

A person sprinkles shredded cheese onto stuffed pasta shells in a blue baking dish filled with tomato sauce, preparing the dish on a beige countertop.

In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, parsley, basil, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. Reserve a little Parmesan for sprinkling over the top.

Pour the marinara sauce into the bottom of a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Using a teaspoon, carefully spoon a small amount of the ricotta mixture into each shell, then place a meatball inside.

A person spoons ricotta filling into a pasta shell over a Dutch oven filled with red marinara sauce.

Arrange the stuffed shells over the marinara sauce. Once all the shells are stuffed and arranged in the dish, sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top.

A white Dutch oven filled with red tomato sauce contains a single stuffed pasta shell on top. A red colander with more pasta shells is partially visible to the right.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through. Serve warm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What temperature should I bake Meatball Stuffed Shells at?

Preheat the oven to 350F. Bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes, then bake the assembled stuffed shells for 15-20 minutes.

How do I prepare the jumbo shells for stuffing?

Cook the jumbo shells according to the package instructions. Once cooked, rinse them under cold water and drain well before filling.

What goes in the ricotta filling?

The filling combines ricotta cheese, chopped parsley, chopped basil, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. Reserve a little Parmesan for sprinkling over the top.

How are the shells assembled?

Pour marinara into a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Spoon a small amount of ricotta mixture into each shell, place a meatball inside, and arrange the stuffed shells over the sauce.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 6 servings.

Wrapping Up

These meatball stuffed shells bring together pasta, ricotta, marinara, Parmesan, and Italian meatballs in one baked dish.

Recipe created by Cookinwithbabe for Trust Me Try It.

A baking dish filled with jumbo pasta shells stuffed with ricotta and spinach, topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese.

Meatball Stuffed Shells with Ricotta and Marinara

Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 12 oz jumbo shells, cooked to package instructions
  • 26 oz frozen Italian meatballs
  • 32 oz marinara
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 1/4 cup chopped basil
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup gated Parmesan

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°.
  • Place the meatballs on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
  • While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the pasta shells according to the package directions.
  • Once cooked, rinse the shells under cold water and drain well.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, parsley, basil, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese.
  • Reserve a little Parmesan for sprinkling over the top.
  • Pour the marinara sauce into the bottom of a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
  • Using a teaspoon, carefully spoon a small amount of the ricotta mixture into each shell, then place a meatball inside.
  • Arrange the stuffed shells over the marinara sauce.
  • Once all the shells are stuffed and arranged in the dish, sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through.
  • Serve warm.

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