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Creamy Pumpkin Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Irresistibly Creamy Pumpkin Ricotta Stuffed Shells Delight

Creamy Pumpkin Ricotta Stuffed Shells deliver ultimate comfort with a rich filling and velvety sauce, making it a perfect fall dish.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Filling
  • 12 ounces Jumbo Pasta Shells or any large pasta
  • 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese or cottage cheese for lighter option
  • 1 cup Pumpkin Puree canned or homemade
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese or Pecorino Romano
  • 1 large Egg omit for vegan version
  • 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg or cinnamon
  • to taste Salt & Pepper adjust to personal taste
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder or minced fresh garlic
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Sage minced; can substitute with thyme or parsley
Sauce
  • 24 ounces Rao's Vodka Sauce or any marinara/tomato-based sauce
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream or half-and-half for lighter version
Topping
  • 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese or cheddar/dairy-free options

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking dish
  • spatula
  • aluminum foil

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully add your jumbo pasta shells and cook until al dente, which will take about 9-11 minutes.
  2. Once they are cooked, drain the shells and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set the shells aside to cool while you prepare the filling.
  3. While the pasta shells are cooling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) for even baking.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, pumpkin puree, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, nutmeg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and minced fresh sage. Stir until silky smooth.
  5. In a separate bowl, combine Rao's Vodka Sauce, the remaining pumpkin puree, and heavy cream. Stir until smooth.
  6. Spread about 3/4 of the prepared sauce mixture on the bottom of a large baking dish.
  7. Take each cooled pasta shell and spoon in approximately 2 tablespoons of the creamy filling. Place them open-side up in the baking dish.
  8. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  9. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. Return to oven uncovered for an additional 15 minutes.
  10. If desired, broil for a few seconds for extra browning, watching carefully.
  11. Once fully baked and golden, remove from the oven, let cool a few minutes, and serve hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 18gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2500IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 2mg

Notes

These stuffed shells can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a quick dinner option. Enjoy with fresh herbs for garnish!

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