The Best Christmas Stuffed Pasta Recipe for Holiday Magic

Tucking into a delightful christmas stuffed pasta brings pure joy during festive celebrations.

Delicate shells cradle rich, creamy fillings that dance with seasonal flavors.

Winter gatherings sparkle with warmth when you share these delectable bites.

Handcrafted parcels promise comfort and nostalgia, melting hearts faster than snowflakes.

Each bite tells a story of tradition and culinary creativity.

Magical ingredients combine to create something truly special.

Make these remarkable treats and watch smiles bloom around your table.

What’s So Fun About Easy Christmas Stuffed Pasta

• Craft Festive Family Feast: Delight in a Christmas-themed pasta dish that brings everyone together with its comforting and hearty flavors.
• Simplify Holiday Cooking: Create a stress-free meal that looks impressive but requires minimal kitchen skills, perfect for home cooks of all levels.
• Customize with Creativity: Swap ingredients easily to match dietary preferences or pantry availability, making this recipe super flexible for different tastes and needs.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare a dish that serves multiple people with minimal effort, ideal for holiday gatherings or casual weekend dinners with loved ones.

Ingredients for Easy Christmas Stuffed Pasta

• Pasta Shells: Large pasta shells that serve as the container for the delicious stuffing.
• Ground Turkey: Lean protein that provides a lighter alternative to traditional beef in the stuffing.
• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy cheese that adds richness and helps bind the stuffing mixture.

• Marinara Sauce: Classic tomato-based sauce that provides moisture and traditional Italian flavor.
• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Cheeses that create a golden, melted topping with deep savory notes.

• Egg, Oregano, Salt, Pepper, Parsley: Seasonings and binding agent that enhance flavor and help hold the stuffing together.
• Cooking Spray: Light coating to prevent sticking and promote easy removal from the baking dish.

How to Prepare Christmas Stuffed Pasta with Ease

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Grab a baking dish and lightly coat it with cooking spray. Set your oven to preheat at 375°F, creating the perfect warm environment for your delicious shells.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Filling

• Ricotta cheese
• Ground turkey
• Egg
• Oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh parsley

Blend everything thoroughly until the mixture looks uniform and well-integrated.

Step 3: Cook Pasta Shells

Boil pasta shells following package directions. Once cooked, drain and let them cool down slightly to make handling easier.

Step 4: Stuff the Shells

Carefully fill each pasta shell with the prepared meat and cheese mixture. Be generous but avoid overfilling to keep them neat and tidy.

Step 5: Build the Sauce Foundation

Pour marinara sauce across the bottom of the baking dish, creating a smooth, flavorful base for your shells to rest on.

Step 6: Arrange Stuffed Shells

Place the filled pasta shells on top of the marinara sauce, positioning them close together like a cozy winter gathering.

Step 7: Add Cheese Layer

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the stuffed shells, ensuring complete coverage for maximum cheesy goodness.

Step 8: Finish with Parmesan

Dust the top with grated parmesan cheese, adding an extra flavor punch to your festive dish.

Step 9: Protect While Baking

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning during the initial baking period.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and turn a beautiful golden color.

Step 11: Rest and Serve

Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes. This short waiting period allows the filling to set and flavors to meld, creating a truly delightful Christmas meal.

Tips for a Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta

• Boost Flavor Depth: Add a pinch of garlic powder or minced garlic to the ricotta mixture for an extra aromatic punch.
• Prevent Pasta Sticking: Rinse cooked pasta shells with cold water and lightly oil them to keep them from clumping together.
• Lighter Protein Option: Swap ground turkey with lean ground chicken or plant-based meat alternative for different dietary preferences.
• Perfect Cheese Melting: Let cheese sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before sprinkling to ensure smooth, even melting.
• Control Moisture: Pat ground turkey dry before mixing to prevent excess liquid in the stuffing mixture.

Tasty Takes on Christmas Stuffed Pasta

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace ground turkey with a mixture of ricotta, spinach, and sautéed mushrooms for a plant-based protein option that's packed with flavor.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Add diced jalapeños, green chiles, and swap marinara for a zesty salsa-based sauce to create a Mexican-inspired version of the classic stuffed shells.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, chopped olives, and sun-dried tomatoes into the filling, then top with a light Greek yogurt drizzle for a Mediterranean twist.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use large zucchini boats instead of pasta shells, filling them with the original meat and cheese mixture for a lighter, vegetable-based version of the dish.

Best Pairings for Stuffed Pasta Holiday Style

• Pair Perfectly with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or pinot grigio to complement the rich, creamy texture of the stuffed pasta shells, cutting through the heavy cheese and meat flavors.
• Serve Alongside Fresh Green Salad: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness of the dish, adding a zesty and refreshing contrast to the warm pasta.
• Match with Crusty Garlic Bread: Prepare a warm, toasted baguette with garlic butter to soak up the marinara sauce and provide a crunchy texture that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Complement with Sparkling Water: Opt for a chilled sparkling water with a slice of lemon to cleanse the palate between bites, helping to refresh the taste buds during the meal.

How to Store Leftover Christmas Stuffed Pasta

• Store leftover stuffed shells in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring they're completely cooled before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Wrap individual portions or the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, preserving freshness for up to 2-3 months in the freezer.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out.
• Keep pasta shells and sauce separately if possible, which helps maintain optimal texture and prevents soggy shells when reheating.

FAQs About Christmas Stuffed Pasta

• Can I use ground beef instead of ground turkey?

Yes, you can easily substitute ground beef for ground turkey. Just ensure the meat is lean to prevent excess grease in the dish.

• Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Absolutely! You can prepare the stuffed shells, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months before baking. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

Use low-fat ricotta, lean ground turkey, and whole wheat pasta shells to create a more nutritious version of this dish. You can also add extra vegetables like spinach to the filling.

• What if I don't have fresh parsley?

No problem. You can use dried parsley or skip it entirely. The oregano and other seasonings will still provide plenty of flavor to the stuffed shells.

Easy Christmas Stuffed Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Festive holiday dinners welcome Christmas Stuffed Pasta as a delightful centerpiece that brings Italian culinary magic to your table. Family gatherings spark with flavor when these cheesy, herb-infused parcels arrive steaming hot and ready to celebrate seasonal joy you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Filling:

• 12 large pasta shells or cannelloni
• 250 g (8.8 oz) ricotta cheese
• 150 g (5.3 oz) ground turkey
• 1 egg

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Sauce and Topping:

• 400 g (14 oz) marinara sauce
• 100 g (3.5 oz) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing a baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, ground turkey, egg, oregano, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley, blending thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Cook pasta shells according to package instructions, draining and allowing them to cool slightly for easier handling.
4. Gently stuff each pasta shell with the prepared meat and cheese mixture, ensuring a generous but not overfilled portion.
5. Pour marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of the baking dish, creating a smooth base for the stuffed shells.
6. Arrange the filled pasta shells carefully on top of the marinara sauce, positioning them close together.
7. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the stuffed shells, covering them completely.
8. Dust the top with grated parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor.
9. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, removing the foil during the last 10 minutes to allow cheese to melt and turn golden.
11. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow filling to set and flavors to meld.

Notes

• Ensure pasta shells are slightly undercooked to prevent becoming mushy during baking, maintaining a perfect al dente texture.
• Drain ricotta cheese thoroughly using a cheesecloth or fine strainer to eliminate excess moisture, preventing watery filling.
• Consider swapping ground turkey with ground chicken or plant-based crumbles for alternative protein options that suit different dietary preferences.
• Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or fresh basil before serving to enhance the flavor profile and create a personalized touch.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 401
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 661 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 76 mg