Jumbo stuffed shells filled with three types of cheese are topped with a savory tomato sauce in this family-friendly pasta dish that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds! These stuffed shells are easy-to-make and always guaranteed to be a hit. This rich and cheesy comfort-food meal looks like a deep-dish pizza when it’s done. I altered what I was originally given because I did not like cottage cheese and added other ingredients that I thought it deserved.

Cheesy stuffed shells are the perfect family-friendly comfort food. They’re packed with ingredients you probably already have — and they’re easy to customize when you want something new.

What are you waiting for? Save this recipe to your collection because it’s going to become your go-to.

How to Make Stuffed Shells

Stuffed shells are incredibly easy to prep in just 15 minutes, so here’s what you can expect from this recipe:

Cook the Shells

Cook the pasta shells to al dente, about 8-10 minutes.

Make the Fillings

Combine ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Set aside.

Make the Sauce

Combine pasta sauce, mushrooms, mozzarella, and Parmesan in a bowl. Set aside.

Stuff the Shells

Stuff each shell with ricotta mixture and place in a baking dish. Cover the shells with the sauce mixture.

Bake

Bake until golden brown and bubbly.

Can You Make Stuffed Shells Ahead of Time?

Yes! Stuffed shells are a great make-ahead meal. Fully assemble the stuffed shells in a baking dish and cover the unbaked stuffed shells with foil. Store the baking dish in the fridge for one to two days, then bake as directed. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the bake time to account for the chilled temperature.

What to Serve with Stuffed Shells

Stuffed shells make a delicious, hearty main dish. So, you may want to serve them with a lighter side, like Caesar salad or roasted vegetables. We also like to pair these stuffed shells with buttered Italian bread or garlic knots.

How to Store Stuffed Shells

Store leftover stuffed shells in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in the microwave.

Can You Freeze Stuffed Shells?

You can freeze both baked and unbaked stuffed shells.

To freeze baked stuffed shells, simply place the leftover shells in an airtight container or zip-top freezer bag. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

To freeze unbaked stuffed shells, assemble the shells in a baking dish, then wrap the entire dish (pan and all) with a layer of storage wrap, then a layer of foil. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake as directed. You may need to add extra time to the bake to account for the frozen temperature.

Method To Make Stuffed Shells

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.

Step 3

While the pasta is cooking, mix ricotta cheese, 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese, 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until well combined.

Step 4

Combine pasta sauce and mushrooms in a medium bowl. Add remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses; stir until well combined.

Step 5

Stuff shells with ricotta mixture and place in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour pasta sauce mixture over the shells.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until edges are bubbly and the shells are slightly set, 35 to 60 minutes.

Step 7

Serve hot and enjoy!