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Creepy Stuffed Shells

Creepy stuffed shells are a playful, cheesy dish featuring cooked pasta shells filled with a creamy ricotta mixture, topped with smoky marinara, mozzarella, and olive eyes for a spooky effect. The dish is baked until bubbly and golden, resulting in a gooey, crispy texture with a fun, monster-like appearance. Perfect for Halloween or a whimsical dinner, they combine comforting flavors with a touch of Halloween flair.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

  • 12 pieces large pasta shells uncooked
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese freshly grated
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup spinach fresh, chopped and drained
  • 1 cup marinara sauce smoky, slightly spicy
  • 1/4 cup black olives pitted and sliced thin
  • 1 cup bread crumbs for topping
  • 2 tbsp olive oil for sautéing
  • Fresh basil or parsley chopped, for flavor and garnish

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking dish
  • Sharp Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Cook the shells in boiling, salted water until just al dente, then drain and set aside to cool slightly.
  2. While the shells cook, chop fresh herbs, slice olives thinly, and drain excess water from chopped spinach. Grate the mozzarella cheese if not pre-grated.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, until you smell a sharp, aromatic aroma.
  4. Add chopped spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, half of the mozzarella, sautéed greens, chopped herbs, and season with salt and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
  6. Pour a layer of marinara sauce into your baking dish to create a flavorful base.
  7. Using a spoon, fill each cooked shell generously with the cheese mixture, then place them carefully into the baking dish over the marinara sauce.
  8. Top each filled shell with a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella, then scatter bread crumbs over the top for crunch. Use black olive slices to create tiny eyes on each shell for a spooky effect.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden, and the breadcrumbs are crispy.
  10. Once out of the oven, let the shells rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped herbs for a fresh, colorful touch.
  11. Serve these spooky cheesy shells hot, watching the gooey cheese stretch as you cut into them — perfect for a fun, festive meal.