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A baking dish of Creamy Meatless Stuffed Shells, topped with rich tomato sauce and bubbly, melted cheese.

Dreamy Creamy Meatless Stuffed Shells

Tender jumbo pasta shells are filled with a luxuriously creamy ricotta, mushroom, and walnut mixture, then baked in a rich marinara sauce. Topped with bubbly, golden-brown mozzarella, this comforting dish is a savory, meat-free showstopper perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and finely chopped
  • 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed very dry
  • 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • 32 ounces marinara sauce
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large Skillet
  • Cutting board
  • Chef's knife
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Spatula or wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Small spoon or piping bag
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the jumbo shells in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions, aiming for al dente. Drain carefully, rinse with cool water to stop the cooking, and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  3. Add the finely chopped mushrooms and walnuts to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until the mushrooms have released their liquid and the mixture is browned and resembles ground meat. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and set aside to cool slightly.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the whole milk ricotta, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, the egg, nutritional yeast, and dried oregano. Mix well. Stir in the completely dry spinach and the cooled mushroom-walnut mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  5. Spread about half of the marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Using a small spoon, generously fill each cooked pasta shell with the ricotta mixture.
  6. Arrange the filled shells snugly in a single layer in the baking dish. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over and around the shells. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and a little extra Parmesan cheese over the top.
  7. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
  8. Let the stuffed shells rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil.

Notes

Chef's Tips: Cook shells just until al dente to prevent them from becoming mushy in the oven. It is crucial to squeeze all excess water from the thawed spinach to ensure the filling is not runny.
Make-Ahead & Storage: The dish can be fully assembled, covered tightly, and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
Flavor Variations: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling. For a smoky flavor, use smoked mozzarella or add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the ricotta mixture. Swirl a few tablespoons of basil pesto into the filling for a fresh, herby taste.
Ingredient Substitutions: Blended cottage cheese can replace ricotta. Toasted pecans can be used instead of walnuts. Finely chopped and sautéed kale or Swiss chard can substitute for spinach. Provolone or fontina cheese melt beautifully as a topping.