Jumbo pasta shells generously filled with a delectable blend of fresh spinach, tender artichoke hearts, and a creamy medley of Italian cheeses. Luxuriously topped with rich marinara sauce and baked until golden and bubbly, this irresistible dish offers a satisfying, meatless meal that the entire family will adore!
It’s that wonderful time of year again for our highly anticipated Freaky Friday blog hop! This winter edition has been buzzing with excitement, and I can assure you it’s going to be a memorable one. There’s been so much chatter and anticipation among the participating bloggers, with everyone eager to share the incredible recipes they’ve discovered and created. The joy of this collaborative culinary event lies in its element of surprise and the vibrant community it fosters. I’ve been on pins and needles, and I simply cannot wait to unveil the delicious dish I’ve prepared, and equally, to see what everyone else has cooked up!
I was incredibly excited to receive my assignment for this round, and for good reason! I had the absolute pleasure of being assigned to Angela’s wonderful blog, LeMoine Family Kitchen. Angela is truly a gem among food bloggers – one of the kindest and most genuinely supportive individuals I’ve had the joy of “meeting.” When I say “meeting,” of course, I mean connecting online. Our tight-knit group of food bloggers has fostered a deep sense of camaraderie, and it often feels like we’ve known each other for ages, even if our interactions are primarily virtual. This feeling of community makes the Freaky Friday experience even more special, transforming a simple recipe swap into a shared culinary adventure.
What is the Freaky Friday Blog Hop?
For those unfamiliar, Freaky Friday is a unique and exciting blog hop I organized a couple of years ago with some of my dearest blogger friends. The premise is simple yet incredibly fun: we’re secretly assigned another participant’s blog, from which we must choose, cook, or bake a recipe. The twist is that we all reveal our chosen recipes and posts simultaneously on a designated day – and that day, dear readers, is TODAY! It’s a fantastic way to discover new blogs, challenge ourselves in the kitchen, and celebrate the incredible talent within our food blogging community. Each round brings fresh inspiration and allows us to shine a spotlight on our fellow creators, making it a truly rewarding experience for everyone involved.
A Taste of Italy from LeMoine Family Kitchen
When I was assigned Angela’s incredible blog, I had a strong hunch that my culinary journey would lead me straight to something Italian – and I wasn’t wrong! Angela’s Italian heritage runs incredibly deep, with her grandparents having immigrated directly from Italy. This rich family history means she grew up surrounded by the aromas and flavors of authentic Italian cuisine, with large, heartwarming family meals being a cherished tradition. She married her high school sweetheart, and together they are raising two wonderful boys. Much like myself, Angela is a dedicated stay-at-home mom, and it’s clear that family values and creating nourishing meals are at the very heart of everything she does. Her blog truly reflects this passion, offering recipes that are not only delicious but also infused with love and tradition, making every dish feel like a warm embrace from her kitchen.
With Angela’s strong Italian roots in mind, my first stop on her blog was, naturally, the “Pasta Recipes” tab. Why wouldn’t it be? I knew I was in for a treat, and the selection did not disappoint. After delightful browsing, I narrowed my choice down to four incredibly tempting options. There was her exquisite Homemade Pappardelle Bolognese, a dish that whispers of authentic Italian comfort; the intriguing Linguine in a Creamy Artichoke Sauce, promising a delicate yet rich flavor; and her sophisticated Lemon Asparagus Risotto, a lighter, vibrant choice. Ultimately, however, I couldn’t resist her phenomenal Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Shells. This particular dish perfectly captured the essence of comfort food combined with fresh, vibrant flavors, and I knew it would be a showstopper. The thought of those plump shells bursting with a creamy, savory filling was simply too enticing to pass up, making it the clear winner for my Freaky Friday contribution.
While Angela’s blog shines with her Italian heritage, don’t mistakenly think she only shares Italian recipes! Her culinary repertoire is vast, a veritable treasure chest overflowing with deliciousness from around the globe. She truly has a giant recipe box filled with an incredible array of dishes. And here’s a little secret for you: if you have a love for perfectly baked scones, Angela is absolutely your go-to girl. Her scone recipes are legendary in the blogging community, and for good reason – they are simply divine!
Crafting the Perfect Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Shells
I’ve always been captivated by the idea of creating a dish using those impressive jumbo pasta shells, and this recipe provided the perfect opportunity! These magnificent shells are designed to be generously stuffed, acting as delightful little edible pockets for flavor. The star filling for this recipe is a harmonious blend of vibrant fresh spinach, savory marinated artichoke hearts, creamy ricotta cheese, and a flavorful four-cheese Italian blend. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, contributing to a rich, textured, and incredibly satisfying interior that perfectly complements the al dente pasta. This combination promises a burst of fresh and savory notes with every bite, making it an instant classic for any meal.
Preparing the spinach for the filling is remarkably straightforward and quick. You simply need to wilt the fresh spinach on the stovetop. This process takes only a couple of minutes, transforming the voluminous greens into a tender, flavorful base for our cheese mixture. Once wilted, it’s crucial to squeeze out any excess liquid to prevent the filling from becoming watery, ensuring a perfectly creamy and rich texture within each shell. This small step makes a big difference in the final consistency and flavor of the dish.
Once the spinach is prepared, the magic truly begins as you combine it with the other delectable ingredients. In a large bowl, the wilted spinach is mixed with creamy ricotta, a generous helping of an Italian shredded cheese blend – adding depth and a delightful stretch – along with the chopped marinated artichokes, two eggs to bind everything beautifully, and a simple seasoning of salt and pepper to enhance all the natural flavors. This mixture comes together effortlessly, forming a luscious and savory filling that is both rich and herbaceous. The aromas alone are enough to make your mouth water!
If you’re a devoted fan of the classic spinach artichoke dip, then you are absolutely guaranteed to fall in love with these incredibly flavorful stuffed shells! This dish takes all the creamy, savory, and irresistible elements of that beloved appetizer and transforms them into a hearty, comforting main course. Each jumbo shell acts as a perfect vessel for that familiar, crave-worthy combination of fresh spinach, tangy artichokes, and a rich blend of cheeses, all baked to perfection under a blanket of marinara. It’s a truly satisfying culinary experience that brings a beloved dip to the dinner table in a whole new, exciting way.
Now comes the satisfying part: filling each of those beautiful jumbo shells. Generously scoop the spinach and artichoke cheese mixture into every shell, ensuring they are plump and ready to absorb all the wonderful flavors of the marinara. Once filled, arrange them neatly in a single layer at the bottom of a prepared baking pan. To prevent sticking and add an initial layer of flavor, make sure the bottom of your baking dish is already coated with a luscious layer of marinara sauce. This thoughtful preparation sets the stage for a truly magnificent baked pasta dish, ensuring every bite is infused with savory goodness from the very beginning.
Once your shells are perfectly arranged and filled, the next step is to lavishly pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top. Ensure every shell is beautifully coated and nestled under a rich blanket of sauce. This not only keeps the pasta moist during baking but also infuses the entire dish with a vibrant, tangy tomato flavor. Then, slide the baking dish into your preheated oven and bake until the sauce is bubbling merrily, the cheese is melted and golden, and the shells are tender and infused with all the wonderful flavors. The anticipation during this baking process is truly part of the joy of creating this comforting meal.
To add a final touch of culinary elegance and flavor, just before serving, generously sprinkle a layer of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the piping hot stuffed shells. The heat from the dish will gently melt the Parmesan, creating an extra layer of salty, nutty goodness that perfectly complements the creamy filling and tangy marinara. This simple garnish not only enhances the taste but also elevates the presentation, making this a truly memorable and delightful meal. It’s the perfect finishing flourish for a dish designed to be savored.
A Delightful Meatless Meal for Any Occasion
These Spinach & Artichoke Stuffed Shells are more than just a recipe; they are a celebration of comforting, vegetarian Italian cuisine. Offering a perfect blend of rich flavors and satisfying textures, this dish serves as an excellent meatless meal that promises to please even the most discerning palates in your household. It’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights, special family gatherings, or whenever you crave a hearty, wholesome, and incredibly delicious pasta bake. Easy to prepare and bursting with fresh ingredients, it’s a testament to how satisfying and flavorful plant-forward eating can be, ensuring everyone at the table will ask for seconds. Make this vegetarian stuffed shells recipe your next family favorite!
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Print Recipe
Spinach & Artichoke Stuffed Shells
Ingredients
- 1 1 lb package jumbo pasta shells
- 1 jar Marinara Sauce
- 1 cup rough chopped marinated artichoke hearts
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 10 (6 oz0 bag fresh baby spinach
- 2 eggs
- 2½ cups ricotta cheese
- 1½ cups Six Blend Italian shredded cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions, stopping just shy of the al dente stage. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, over medium heat, add the olive oil and spinach. Cook spinach, stirring constantly, until wilted. Squeeze out any excess liquid. Set aside.
- In a bowl, combine the cooked spinach, eggs, ricotta cheese, artichoke hearts, shredded cheese, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Prepare a large baking pan by coating the bottom with some of the marinara sauce.
- Stuff each pasta shell with filling and place into the baking sheet. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells.
- Bake 30 minutes.Sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese before serving
Notes
Nutrition
Hungry for more? Discover all my past FREAKY FRIDAY RECIPES HERE and embark on even more delicious culinary adventures!
Do you love pasta as much as we do? If so, you’re in for a treat! Here are a couple more of our cherished “keeper” pasta recipes that are sure to become family favorites: