Description
Ready for a weeknight dinner that feels like comfort food but brings a bright, herby twist? These Herb & Zucchini Stuffed Jumbo Shells are loaded with creamy ricotta, sautéed zucchini, and fresh herbs—all baked in bubbling marinara with golden cheese on top. It’s an easy recipe that feels fancy enough for guests and simple enough for meal prep. Ideal for anyone looking for healthy dinner ideas, vegetarian meal plans, or cozy baked pasta dishes. Whether you’re searching for a quick dinner, a vegetarian recipe, or a baked pasta your whole family will devour, this one’s it!
Ingredients
20 jumbo pasta shells
2 medium zucchini, grated
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 egg
2 cups marinara sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Cook jumbo shells in salted boiling water until just under al dente. Drain and cool slightly.
2. In a skillet, sauté zucchini and garlic in olive oil until soft and golden.
3. Combine zucchini mix with ricotta, 1/2 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
4. Stuff each shell with the filling using a spoon or piping bag.
5. Spread 1 cup marinara on the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange shells on top.
6. Spoon remaining marinara over shells, sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.
7. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
8. Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.
Notes
Don’t overcook the shells during boiling—they’ll continue cooking in the oven.
For extra flavor, use a garlic-infused olive oil or sprinkle red pepper flakes in the filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 shells
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg