Name: Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 20 jumbo pasta shells; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups baby spinach, chopped; 1 cup roasted red peppers, chopped; 15 oz ricotta cheese; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 egg; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs; 2 cups marinara sauce; Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Make your holiday table sparkle with this Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta. Filled with rich cheeses, fresh herbs, and a pop of color from roasted red peppers and spinach, these pasta shells bring both beauty and comfort to your holiday menu. This dish is ideal as a vegetarian main or a flavorful side dish that pairs well with other Christmas classics.

What makes this recipe truly magical is how it captures holiday cheer in every bite. The green spinach and red peppers give the dish a natural Christmas color palette, while the creamy ricotta and mozzarella filling brings cozy, nostalgic flavors. Plus, you can assemble it ahead of time, making it perfect for stress-free entertaining.

What Kind of Pasta Should I Use for Christmas Stuffed Pasta?

Jumbo pasta shells are your best friend here. Their generous size allows for ample stuffing and they hold up well during baking. If you’re looking for an alternative, manicotti tubes or cannelloni also work great. For a festive touch, you can even use red and green spinach pasta if available.

Ingredients for the Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta

20 jumbo pasta shells
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups baby spinach, chopped
1 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
15 oz ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
2 cups marinara sauce
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

How To Make the Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta

Step 1: Cook the Pasta Shells

Boil the jumbo shells in salted water until just al dente. Drain and lay them on a baking sheet to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion until soft, then add the garlic, spinach, and roasted red peppers. Cook until the spinach wilts. Let cool slightly.

Step 3: Mix the Cheeses

In a large bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Stir in the cooled vegetable mixture.

Step 4: Stuff the Shells

Fill each shell generously with the cheese and veggie mixture.

Step 5: Assemble the Dish

Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce in a 9×13″ baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells in the dish. Spoon the remaining marinara over the top and sprinkle with extra mozzarella and Parmesan if desired.

Step 6: Bake and Serve

Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until bubbly and golden. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve warm.

How to Serve and Store Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta

This dish shines on a festive buffet or as the centerpiece of a vegetarian Christmas dinner. Serve it with garlic bread and a crisp salad for a balanced meal.

To store leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave individual portions. You can also freeze the assembled (but unbaked) dish for up to 2 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance can I make this?

You can prep the stuffed shells up to 2 days ahead and keep them refrigerated before baking.

Can I freeze this recipe?

Yes! Assemble the dish but don’t bake it. Cover tightly and freeze. When ready to use, thaw overnight and bake as directed.

What can I use instead of ricotta?

Cottage cheese or a mix of cream cheese and Greek yogurt can work as substitutes.

Is this dish vegetarian?

Yes, as long as your cheeses and marinara sauce are vegetarian-certified.

Can I add meat to the filling?

Absolutely. Crumbled cooked Italian sausage or ground beef can be mixed into the cheese filling.

Want More Pasta Ideas for the Holidays?

If you love this Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta, check out some of these other delicious pasta options:

Marry Me Chicken Pasta for a creamy, romantic dinner.
Creamy Garlic Chicken Breasts that pair beautifully with simple pasta.
Cheese Shrimp Penne Pasta with Spinach for seafood lovers.
Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta packed with bold flavor.
One Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta for easy cleanup and hearty taste.

📌 Save this festive recipe to your Pinterest holiday board so you can revisit it year after year.

I’d love to see how your Christmas Stuffed Pasta turns out! Did you add a twist with mushrooms or use a different sauce? Share your results in the comments and tag me on Pinterest @ninadishes.

Let’s inspire each other to create cozy, flavorful meals this season!

Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta

Author: Nina Klatten
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta features jumbo shells filled with creamy ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, spinach, and roasted red peppers. It’s colorful, cozy, and perfect for a holiday table—either as a hearty vegetarian main or a comforting side dish.

Instructions

1. Boil the jumbo shells in salted water until just al dente. Drain and lay them on a baking sheet to prevent sticking.

2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion until soft, then add the garlic, spinach, and roasted red peppers. Cook until the spinach wilts. Let cool slightly.

3. In a large bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Stir in the cooled vegetable mixture.

4. Fill each shell generously with the cheese and veggie mixture.

5. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce in a 9×13″ baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells in the dish. Spoon the remaining marinara over the top and sprinkle with extra mozzarella and Parmesan if desired.

6. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until bubbly and golden. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve warm.