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A baking dish with cheese-covered stuffed shells. A spoon is in the dish and a few shells have already been served.
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Stuffed Shells with Greens
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
 
These stuffed shells with greens, creamy ricotta, and homemade marinara are perfect for evenings when you want your pasta with extra flair and flavor.
Recipe Type: Dinner
Keyword: stuffed shells with greens
Makes: 6 servings
Author: Elizabeth Stark
Ingredients
Simple Marinara
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed, peeled, and minced
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
Stuffed Shells with Greens
  • 8 ounces collard, turnip, radish, or spicy greens, with thick stems discarded
  • Salt
  • 12 ounce box jumbo pasta shells
  • 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed, peeled, and minced
  • Pepper
  • 1 large egg
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, grated
  • Fresh minced herbs (see note above)
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Set out a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
  2. Start by making the marinara (or use store bought). Set a deep pot – you’ll need a lid, so plan accordingly – over medium heat over medium heat (I like to use a bigger pot than I need to reign in sauce splatters). Add the olive oil and then the onions. Cook, stirring often, for 7 minutes. Add garlic, salt, and pepper flakes, and cook 1 minute more. Add the balsamic and scrape up any brown bits. Fold in tomatoes, bring mixture to a gentle boil, then set a cover slightly askew and turn heat to medium-low for a gentle simmer. Cook 20 - 30 minutes. Check, stir, and adjust heat as needed.
  3. To make the stuffed shells, bring a big pot of water to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons salt. Blanch the greens 2 minutes or until they are vibrant green and tender. Remove greens to a strainer or mesh sieve and run under cold water until cool enough to handle. Working in batches, wring as much water as you can from the greens with your hands. Set the little bundles of wrung-out greens on a cutting board and slice into thin ribbons.
  4. In a medium mixing bowl, fold the chopped greens together with the ricotta, Parm, and garlic. Add a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Add seasoning to taste. Fold in the egg.

  5. Meanwhile, cook all of the shells to al dente (two minutes less than the shortest cooking time listed on the box). Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the cooking water. Set cooked shells in a big bowl and toss with a drizzle of olive oil. Only about 28 shells will fit in your baking dish, but many will break or tear, so it’s good to have extra.

  6. Spoon 2 1/2 cups marinara into the bottom of the baking dish. Stuff each shell with about 2 tablespoons ricotta mixture and nestle it into the sauce. Stuff about 28 shells, tucking them into the baking dish. Top with grated mozzarella.

  7. Cover baking dish with foil and cook 20 minutes. Uncover dish and cook 5 minutes more or until the cheese is melted and the marinara is bubbling. Top with fresh herbs, if using, and serve.

  8. Leftover marinara can be saved for topping leftovers or repurposed.