Why Make This Recipe
Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta is a delightful dish perfect for holiday gatherings or family dinners. It combines the joys of cheesy pasta with the festive spirit of the season. This dish is not only indulgent and rich in flavor, but it also makes for a beautiful presentation on your holiday table. With its vibrant colors and warm, comforting flavors, it’s sure to impress your guests and create lasting memories.
How to Make Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta
Ingredients
- Pasta shells or cannelloni
- Ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Spinach
- Garlic
- Marinara sauce
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
- Fresh basil
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, sautéed spinach, salt, and pepper.
- Stuff each pasta shell with the cheese mixture.
- Spread a layer of marinara sauce at the bottom of a baking dish.
- Arrange the stuffed pasta in the dish and cover with remaining marinara sauce.
- Sprinkle with additional cheese if desired.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
How to Serve Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta
Serve your Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta hot from the oven. It pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. For an extra festive touch, sprinkle some extra fresh basil or grated parmesan cheese on top before serving.
How to Store Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta
If you have leftovers, let the stuffed pasta cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, simply place it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
Tips to Make Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta
- Use fresh spinach for a richer flavor, but frozen spinach can work too; just make sure to thaw and drain it well.
- Feel free to add other ingredients like cooked sausage or mushrooms for a meatier option.
- Top with a bit of fresh mozzarella for an extra cheesy crust.
Variation
You can experiment with different cheeses, such as goat cheese or feta, for unique flavors. If you want to add a bit of spice, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the cheese mixture can bring some heat to the dish.
FAQs
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the stuffed pasta a day ahead and keep it in the refrigerator. Just bake it when you’re ready to serve.
Can I freeze the stuffed pasta?
Absolutely! You can freeze the assembled dish before baking. Just make sure to wrap it well. When ready to enjoy, bake it from frozen, adding extra time to the cooking.
What to serve with Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta?
Pair it with a simple green salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful dish perfect for holiday gatherings, rich in flavor with a beautiful presentation.
Ingredients
- 12 pasta shells or cannelloni
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, sautéed spinach, salt, and pepper.
- Stuff each pasta shell with the cheese mixture.
- Spread a layer of marinara sauce at the bottom of a baking dish.
- Arrange the stuffed pasta in the dish and cover with remaining marinara sauce.
- Sprinkle with additional cheese if desired.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
Use fresh spinach for richer flavor; frozen spinach can work too. Feel free to add cooked sausage or mushrooms for a meatier option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: stuffed pasta, holiday recipe, festive dinner, Italian dish, vegetarian pasta