Joyful Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta Recipe for Holiday Magic

Diving into a world of festive Christmas stuffed pasta brings pure holiday magic to your kitchen.

festive aromas will dance through every corner, promising delightful moments of culinary joy.

Soft pasta shells cradle a rich, comforting filling that whispers warmth and celebration.

Seasonal ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a dish that feels like a loving embrace.

Memories of cozy gatherings emerge with each delectable bite, connecting you to cherished traditions.

Simple techniques make this recipe accessible, even for novice cooks seeking impressive results.

Prepare to wow everyone at your table with this mouthwatering seasonal masterpiece.

Christmas Stuffed Pasta That’s Colorful and Cheesy

• Quick Holiday Meal Magic: Effortless festive stuffed pasta delivers deliciousness with minimal kitchen work.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Cheesy shells packed with spinach and rich marinara sauce satisfy everyone from kids to grandparents, making it perfect for family gatherings.
• Versatile Festive Dish: Adaptable recipe allows easy modifications like adding meat or swapping vegetables, ensuring flexibility for different dietary preferences.
• Make-Ahead Champion: Prepare stuffed shells earlier in the day, refrigerate, and bake just before serving, reducing last-minute holiday cooking stress.

Christmas Stuffed Pasta (Festive) Ingredients

• Jumbo Pasta Shells: Large shells perfect for stuffing with creamy cheese mixture, choose fresh and unbroken shells for best presentation.
• Pasta Cooking Water: Helps to soften and prepare shells for filling.

• Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy and rich cheese blend providing delicious texture and flavor, select high-quality cheeses for best results.
• Egg: Binds the cheese mixture together and adds richness.
• Spinach: Adds nutritional value and green color to the filling, use well-drained cooked spinach.
• Nutmeg, Salt, Pepper: Seasonings that enhance the cheese mixture's overall taste.

• Marinara Sauce: Classic tomato-based sauce that complements the cheese-stuffed shells, choose a good quality jarred or homemade sauce.
• Olive Oil: Used for cooking sauce and greasing baking dish.
• Fresh Basil: Provides fresh herb flavor and garnish.
• Basil, Oregano, Red Pepper Flakes: Herbs and spices that add depth to the marinara sauce.
• Extra Parmesan Cheese: Additional cheese for garnishing and extra flavor.

Christmas Stuffed Pasta Festive Assembly Guide

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Set your oven to 375°F.

Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.

Step 2: Cook Pasta Shells

Boil pasta shells following package directions until tender.

Drain and let cool briefly.

Step 3: Create Cheesy Mixture

• Ricotta cheese
• Shredded mozzarella
• Grated Parmesan
• Cooked spinach
• Egg
• Nutmeg
• Salt
• Pepper

Mix thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 4: Fill Pasta Shells

Gently stuff each cooked shell with the cheese mixture.

Arrange stuffed shells in the prepared baking dish.

Step 5: Prepare Robust Sauce

Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.

• Marinara sauce
• Fresh basil
• Oregano
• Red pepper flakes

Simmer for 5-7 minutes, then pour sauce over stuffed shells.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Cover baking dish with foil.

Bake 25-30 minutes until heated through and sauce bubbles.

Step 7: Final Touch and Serve

Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes to create a crispy top.

Sprinkle with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.

Serve steaming hot.

Festive Tips For Christmas Stuffed Pasta

• Rinse pasta shells under cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent them from becoming mushy.
• Mix different cheese varieties like fontina or provolone for a more complex, rich flavor profile in the filling.
• Simmer marinara sauce longer to thicken if you prefer a less watery dish, ensuring a more concentrated tomato taste.
• Assemble the stuffed shells a day before baking and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and making meal prep easier during busy holiday times.
• Replace ricotta with tofu for a vegan version or use gluten-free pasta shells to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising taste.

Save Holiday Pasta for Another Meal

• Store leftover stuffed pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Place cooled stuffed shells in freezer-safe containers, separating layers with parchment paper, and freeze up to 2 months for later enjoyment.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm at 350°F (175°C) covered with foil for 15-20 minutes until heated completely through.
• Sprinkle a few drops of water over the pasta, cover with a microwave-safe lid, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Stuffed Pasta Sides That Satisfy

• Pair with Rich Red Wines: Choose full-bodied Italian red wines like Chianti or Sangiovese that complement the tomato sauce and cheese, enhancing the pasta's robust flavors.
• Serve with Crisp Green Salad: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, cheesy pasta and provide a fresh, tangy contrast to the warm dish.
• Match with Garlic Bread: Prepare crusty garlic bread with herb-infused butter to soak up the marinara sauce and add a delightful crunch that perfectly accompanies the stuffed shells.
• Complement with Chilled Sparkling Water: Add a refreshing citrus-infused sparkling water to cleanse the palate between bites and cut through the creamy cheese filling.

Christmas Stuffed Pasta Festive Variants

• Vegan Christmas Shells: Replace ricotta and mozzarella with tofu crumbles, nutritional yeast, and cashew cream. Use plant-based marinara sauce and swap egg with ground flaxseed mixture.
• Low-Carb Holiday Option: Substitute pasta shells with zucchini boats or bell pepper halves. Keep cheese filling similar but reduce carbohydrate content for keto-friendly meal.
• Gluten-Free Festive Version: Use gluten-free pasta shells or replace with brown rice pasta. Ensure marinara sauce is certified gluten-free and carefully check all ingredient labels.
• Protein-Packed Winter Variation: Add ground turkey or chicken to cheese mixture. Include extra herbs like thyme and sage for enhanced flavor profile and increased protein content.

FAQs

• What type of pasta is best for this recipe?

Jumbo pasta shells work perfectly because they have a large cavity that allows for generous cheese filling, making them ideal for stuffing with the ricotta mixture.

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, the recipe is already vegetarian. Just ensure you use vegetarian-friendly cheeses and marinara sauce to keep it completely meat-free.

• How do I prevent the pasta shells from sticking together?

After cooking, rinse the shells with cold water and gently separate them, then lay them out on a clean kitchen towel to prevent sticking and make stuffing easier.

• Is this recipe suitable for make-ahead preparation?

Absolutely! You can assemble the stuffed shells a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time when cooking directly from the refrigerator.

Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas stuffed pasta brings holiday cheer with rich, creamy filling nestled in delicate pasta pockets. Elegant Italian-inspired comfort wraps you in warm seasonal flavors perfect for celebratory gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cheeses:

• 2 cups (300 grams / 10.5 ounces) ricotta cheese
• 1 1/2 cups (150 grams / 5.3 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (50 grams / 1.8 ounces) grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Vegetables:

• 12 large pasta shells (such as jumbo shells or cannelloni)
• 1/2 cup (50 grams / 1.8 ounces) cooked spinach, drained and chopped

Seasonings and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 cups (475 milliliters / 16 fluid ounces) marinara sauce or tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Garnish (Optional):

• Fresh basil leaves
• Extra grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Prepare the culinary canvas by preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly coating a 9×13-inch baking vessel with olive oil or non-stick spray.
2. Transform pasta shells into tender vessels by immersing them in boiling water until they reach al dente perfection. Gently drain and allow to cool momentarily.
3. Craft a luxurious filling by whisking ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan together with thoroughly drained spinach, creating a harmonious blend enhanced by a whisked egg, delicate nutmeg, and seasoning.
4. Meticulously fill each pasta shell with the creamy mixture, arranging them artfully in the prepared baking dish like edible ornaments.
5. Elevate the flavor profile by simmering marinara sauce with aromatic basil, oregano, and optional red pepper flakes in a saucepan, allowing the herbs to infuse their essence into the liquid.
6. Drape the baking dish with aluminum foil, then nestle it in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld and warm thoroughly.
7. Unveil the dish, removing the foil for a final 5-minute bake to achieve a golden, slightly crisp surface.
8. Present the festive creation adorned with fresh basil leaves and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan, ready to delight eager diners with its vibrant, comforting essence.

Notes

• Customize the cheese blend by mixing in soft goat cheese or using a dairy-free alternative like cashew ricotta for lactose-intolerant guests.
• Enhance nutritional value by adding cooked ground turkey or crumbled plant-based protein to the cheese filling for extra substance.
• Prep shells ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, which helps develop deeper flavor profiles and saves cooking time on busy days.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting pasta shells with zucchini boats or using gluten-free pasta shells to accommodate different dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 18g
• Cholesterol: 70mg