Pesto Cheese Stuffed Shells in Marinara Sauce

Pasta shells stuffed with pesto and cheese, baked in marinara sauce.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Keyword pesto stuffed shells, stuffed shells, stuffed shells in marinara

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Servings servings

Calories 467kcal

Author Kelly ~ the hungry bluebird

Preheat oven to 375º
Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta shells 2 minutes shy of package instructions. Drain. Drizzle large sheet pan with olive oil and toss hot pasta shells on pan. Separate and let cool enough to handle.
Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix ricotta, egg, pepper, shredded cheese and pesto until well combined. Spread a few tablespoons of marinara sauce evenly over bottom of 9" X 13" baking dish. Stuff each pasta shell with heaping tablespoon of mixture and place in baking dish (22 - 24 stuffed shells). Sprinkle top with more shredded cheese.
Pour remaining marinara sauce over stuffed shells and cover with foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Uncover, bake for 10 - 15 more minutes, until bubbling and cheese is melted.

I cooked the whole box of noodles although only used about 24 cooked shells for the dish.
Store bought pesto is fine, that's what I used. By all means, use homemade if you prefer.
Homemade marinara is what I prefer, but your favorite jarred marinara or pasta sauce will work just as well!