Vegetarian Skillet Stuffed Shells

Jumbo pasta shells filled with a savory mixture of mushrooms, spinach, ricotta, and Parmesan, all nestled in a spicy marinara sauce. This elegant vegetarian main dish combines Italian flavors with hearty vegetables.

4 servings

54 min

Published October 4, 2025

Ingredients

•18 pieces jumbo pasta shells
•1½ tsp kosher salt
•2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
•½ lb crimini mushrooms
•1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
•½ cup dry white wine
•5 oz baby spinach
•6 cloves garlic
•2 Tbsp unsalted butter
•3 cups marinara sauce
•½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
•2 cups whole-milk ricotta
•3 oz Parmesan cheese
•3 Tbsp oregano
•divided

Cooking Instructions

1.
Cook shells in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, about 9 minutes; drain. Run under cold water to stop the cooking; drain again.
9 min
2.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over high. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they release juices, then are dry again and nicely browned, 5-6 minutes; season with black pepper and 1 tsp. salt. Reduce heat to medium, add wine, and cook, stirring, until reduced by half, 1-2 minutes. Add spinach, cover, and cook until beginning to wilt, 1-2 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach is completely wilted and most of the liquid is evaporated, 2-4 minutes more. Transfer mushroom mixture to a large bowl; reserve skillet.
15 min
3.
Cook garlic and butter in reserved skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until garlic is fragrant and beginning to brown, 2-3 minutes. Add marinara sauce and red pepper and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, 6-8 minutes.
10 min
4.
While sauce cooks, add ricotta, 3 oz. Parmesan, 2 Tbsp. oregano, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt to mushroom mixture and stir to combine. Spoon about 2 Tbsp. ricotta mixture into each shell. The shell should be filled to capacity but not overstuffed.
10 min
5.
Nestle stuffed shells into hot sauce in skillet. Cover and cook over medium heat until shells are warmed through, 4-6 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan and remaining 1 Tbsp. oregano.
10 min

Ingredients

•18 pieces jumbo pasta shells

•1½ tsp kosher salt

•2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

•½ lb crimini mushrooms

•1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

•½ cup dry white wine

•5 oz baby spinach

•6 cloves garlic

•2 Tbsp unsalted butter

•3 cups marinara sauce

•½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

•2 cups whole-milk ricotta

•3 oz Parmesan cheese

•3 Tbsp oregano

•divided

Cooking Instructions

Cook shells in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, about 9 minutes; drain. Run under cold water to stop the cooking; drain again.

9 min

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over high. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they release juices, then are dry again and nicely browned, 5-6 minutes; season with black pepper and 1 tsp. salt. Reduce heat to medium, add wine, and cook, stirring, until reduced by half, 1-2 minutes. Add spinach, cover, and cook until beginning to wilt, 1-2 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach is completely wilted and most of the liquid is evaporated, 2-4 minutes more. Transfer mushroom mixture to a large bowl; reserve skillet.

15 min

Cook garlic and butter in reserved skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until garlic is fragrant and beginning to brown, 2-3 minutes. Add marinara sauce and red pepper and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, 6-8 minutes.

10 min

While sauce cooks, add ricotta, 3 oz. Parmesan, 2 Tbsp. oregano, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt to mushroom mixture and stir to combine. Spoon about 2 Tbsp. ricotta mixture into each shell. The shell should be filled to capacity but not overstuffed.

10 min

Nestle stuffed shells into hot sauce in skillet. Cover and cook over medium heat until shells are warmed through, 4-6 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan and remaining 1 Tbsp. oregano.

10 min