Description
Crockpot stuffed shells bring Italian-inspired comfort straight to your dinner table with minimal effort. Ricotta, spinach, and melted mozzarella create a satisfying meal that wraps you in warmth and deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
Pasta:
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
Cheese:
- 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups grated parmesan cheese
Filling and Seasoning:
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped) or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Topping:
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 0.5 cups water or vegetable broth
- 0.25 cups grated parmesan cheese (for topping)
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta shells by boiling in salted water for slightly less time than package instructions, ensuring they remain slightly firm. Drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process.
- Create a rich cheese mixture by blending ricotta with mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and aromatic seasonings like parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper until thoroughly combined.
- Carefully fill each cooled pasta shell with the cheese mixture, using a piping bag or spoon, ensuring shells are approximately three-quarters full for optimal texture.
- Layer the crockpot base with marinara sauce, then arrange stuffed shells in a single, organized layer. Gently pour remaining marinara and water over the shells, creating a moist cooking environment.
- Set crockpot to LOW temperature and cook for 3-4 hours, maintaining a sealed lid to preserve moisture and prevent heat escape.
- During the final 30 minutes of cooking, sprinkle additional mozzarella and Parmesan over the shells, allowing cheese to melt and create a golden, bubbling surface.
- Delicately transfer shells using tongs or a slotted spoon to serving plates. Enhance presentation by garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or basil, and serve immediately while warm and fragrant.
Notes
- Use slightly undercooked pasta shells to prevent mushiness during slow cooking, ensuring a perfect al dente texture when served.
- For gluten-free option, substitute regular pasta shells with gluten-free pasta shells and verify all sauce ingredients are gluten-free.
- Consider adding protein variety by mixing ground turkey or chicken into cheese filling for extra nutritional value and flavor complexity.
- Reduce moisture by draining ricotta cheese in cheesecloth for 15 minutes before mixing, preventing watery filling and maintaining a rich, creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg