Baked Stuffed Pasta Shells

Baked Stuffed Pasta Shells

Time: 55 mins

Ingredients

• 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
• 1 1/4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (Reserve 1/4 cup)
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 lbs ricotta cheese
• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 8 ounces spaghetti sauce (jarred or homemade)
• fresh basil, chopped, for garnish

Directions

• 1 In an 8 quart pot, bring water to a boil and cook shells for 8 minutes or until al dente.
• 2 Drain and cool immediately with cold water.
• 3 Drain and place open side down on paper towels.
• 4 In a medium bowl, combine the rest of ingredients except the spaghetti sauce.
• 5 Reserve the 1/4 cup of Mozzarella.
• 6 Place a thin layer of spaghetti sauce into the bottom of a 12 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish.
• 7 Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• 8 Spoon the cheese mixture into each pasta shell and place open side up, in a single layer, in prepared pan.
• 9 Pour the rest of sauce over the stuffed shells.
• 10 Loosely cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
• 11 During last 5 minutes of baking, remove foil and sprinkle remaining Mozzarella cheese on top.
• 12 Bake 5 more minutes.
• 13 Garnish with fresh chopped basil.