Description
Bring hearty comfort to your dinner table with these Herb & Zucchini Stuffed Jumbo Shells — the perfect combination of creamy ricotta, fresh zucchini, vibrant herbs, and savory marinara. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner idea, a satisfying meatless meal, or an easy recipe for weeknight meal prep, this baked pasta dish delivers big on flavor and convenience.
Ingredients
20 jumbo pasta shells
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 medium zucchini, grated and drained
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 large egg, beaten
2 cups marinara sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook jumbo pasta shells until al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté grated zucchini and garlic until softened and moisture evaporates.
3. In a large bowl, mix cooked zucchini, ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, basil, salt, pepper, and beaten egg.
4. Spoon the filling into each cooked shell carefully.
5. In a baking dish, spread a layer of marinara sauce. Place filled shells on top, then spoon more marinara sauce over them.
6. Sprinkle mozzarella and extra Parmesan on top.
7. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.
8. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
9. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot.
Notes
Drain the zucchini well to avoid excess moisture in the filling.
Don’t overboil the pasta shells — keep them al dente to avoid tearing.
Make it ahead and refrigerate or freeze for a low-effort future meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approx. 4 shells
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: easy dinner, vegetarian recipe, baked pasta, zucchini recipes, ricotta stuffed shells