Ingredients:

  • 24 jumbo pasta shells (approximately 340g/12oz)
  • Salt, for pasta water
  • 2 cups (450g/16oz) ricotta cheese, full-fat
  • ½ cup (50g/1.75oz) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • ¼ cup (25g/0.9oz) grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • ½ cup (75g/2.6oz) oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons (3g/0.1oz) fresh basil, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 3 cups (700ml/24 fl oz) marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • ½ cup (50g/1.75oz) shredded mozzarella cheese, remaining
  • ¼ cup (25g/0.9oz) grated Parmesan cheese, remaining
  • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta shells and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water; set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, egg, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  3. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C/Gas Mark 5).
  4. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of the baking dish. Stuff each pasta shell generously with the ricotta mixture. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer in the baking dish.
  5. Pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  6. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  7. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, if desired. Let stand for a few minutes before serving.