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Copycat Olive Garden Jumbo Stuffed Shells

A warm, comforting dish featuring cheesy jumbo pasta shells filled with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, served with rich marinara sauce.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce
  • 12 pieces jumbo pasta shells Use large pasta shells for stuffing.
  • 1 jar marinara sauce (about 24 oz) Choose your favorite store-bought or homemade marinara.
Cheese Filling
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese Can substitute with cottage cheese if desired.
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Reserve some for topping.
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese Add more for an extra cheesy flavor.
  • 1 piece egg Bind the filling together.
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Use fresh herbs for better flavor.
  • to taste salt and pepper Season according to preference.
Garnish
  • as needed fresh parsley Chop for garnish before serving.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook according to package instructions until they are al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly blended.
Assembly
  1. Using a teaspoon or piping bag, fill each shell with the cheese mixture generously.
  2. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells on top, then pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells. Sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese on top.
Baking
  1. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serving
  1. Once out of the oven, allow the shells to cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Leftover Jumbo Stuffed Shells can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven for best results.