Festive Christmas Stuffed Pasta Recipe: Jolly Holiday Magic

Festive holiday gatherings call for something special, and this easy Christmas stuffed pasta recipe delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Packed with rich seasonal flavors, these delectable parcels promise to become an instant family favorite.

Each delicate pasta pocket bursts with a harmonious blend of traditional ingredients that celebrate winter’s warmth.

Soft, pillowy pasta embraces a savory filling that melts in your mouth with every bite.

The recipe combines simple techniques with extraordinary taste, making it accessible for cooks of all skill levels.

Creamy textures and aromatic herbs transform an ordinary meal into a memorable celebration.

Prepare to impress your loved ones with this mouthwatering Christmas classic that brings joy to the table.

FAQs

• How difficult is this recipe for beginners?

This recipe requires basic cooking skills like sautéing, making a sauce, and mixing ingredients. While it has multiple steps, home cooks with intermediate kitchen experience can successfully prepare it without advanced techniques.

• Can I use different types of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute provolone with mozzarella or swap ricotta for cottage cheese. Choose cheeses with similar melting and moisture characteristics to maintain the recipe’s overall texture and flavor profile.

• Is this recipe vegetarian?

The current recipe is vegetarian since it uses mushrooms, spinach, and cheese without meat ingredients. If you want more protein, you can add tofu or plant-based protein alternatives to the filling.

Christmas Stuffed Pasta – What Makes It Festive

• Whip up a stunning Christmas dish that impresses guests without complicated techniques, perfect for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Adaptable recipe allows easy swaps for dietary needs, making it versatile for vegetarians or those wanting different cheese combinations.
• Designed to serve multiple people, this stuffed pasta brings warmth and celebration to the holiday table, encouraging shared meals and connection.
• Straightforward cooking steps transform simple ingredients into a rich, luxurious meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Christmas Stuffed Pasta – Your Ingredient Guide

• Pasta Shells: Large pasta shells perfect for stuffing with creamy filling.
• Ricotta Cheese: Soft, creamy cheese that creates a smooth and rich stuffing base.
• Provolone Cheese: Sharp Italian cheese that adds depth and melting quality to the dish.
• Spinach: Fresh green vegetable that provides nutrition and earthy flavor to the filling.

• Butter, Milk, Wine: These ingredients help create a luxurious and smooth sauce with complex flavor.
• Cheese: Additional cheese for topping and enhancing the overall cheesy profile of the dish.

• Mushrooms, Herbs, Flour: Ingredients that add texture, earthiness, and help thicken the sauce while providing aromatic depth.

All the Kitchen Tools for Stuffed Pasta

• Large skillet: Essential for sautéing mushrooms and creating creamy sauce.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring sauce and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta shells after cooking.
• 9×13 baking dish: Crucial for assembling and baking the stuffed pasta.
• Mixing bowl: Great for combining ricotta, provolone, and spinach filling.
• Whisk: Helps create smooth roux and blend sauce ingredients evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

Bringing Christmas Stuffed Pasta Together

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350F.

Grab your 9×13 baking dish and give it a light coating of grease to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Sauté Mushroom Magic

Melt butter in a skillet and toss in mushrooms.

Cook these beauties until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Sprinkle in your favorite herbs to boost the flavor profile.

Step 3: Craft Creamy Sauce

Start by creating a silky roux with butter and flour.

Pour in a splash of wine to add depth, then blend in milk.

Slowly stir in cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and luxurious.

Step 4: Cook Pasta Perfectly

Boil your pasta shells until they reach that perfect al dente texture – tender but with a slight bite.

Step 5: Create Cheesy Filling

Combine ricotta and provolone cheeses with fresh spinach.

Mix until the ingredients are well integrated and look inviting.

Step 6: Build Your Masterpiece

Spread a layer of sauce in the baking dish.

Carefully stuff each shell with the cheese and spinach mixture.

Top with remaining sauce, extra cheese, and those golden mushrooms.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish and bake for 25 minutes.

Then uncover and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top is beautifully golden and bubbling.

Smart Tips for Christmas Stuffed Pasta

• Chop fresh thyme or rosemary into the mushroom mixture for an aromatic and robust taste profile.
• Slightly undercook pasta shells before stuffing to avoid becoming mushy during baking.
• Whisk continuously while adding milk to prevent lumps and achieve smooth, velvety texture.
• Prepare entire dish up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld together perfectly.
• Swap provolone for plant-based cheese and add roasted vegetables like zucchini or eggplant for extra nutrition.

Christmas Stuffed Pasta – Mix & Match Ideas

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace mushrooms with roasted butternut squash and swap provolone for plant-based cheese for a hearty vegetarian version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta shells and replace wheat flour with cornstarch or rice flour for the roux to make the dish celiac-friendly.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute pasta shells with zucchini boats or large bell pepper halves, using cauliflower cream sauce instead of traditional cheese sauce.
• Mediterranean Spin: Add sun-dried tomatoes, swap spinach for kale, incorporate feta cheese, and season with oregano and basil for a Mediterranean-inspired stuffed pasta.

Christmas Stuffed Pasta – Creative Serving

• Festive Dinner Centerpiece: Place this stuffed pasta as the star of your holiday table, surrounded by simple green salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.
• Holiday Party Appetizer Twist: Cut the stuffed shells into smaller portions, serve on elegant platters for guests to enjoy as bite-sized party treats with wine.
• Cozy Family Comfort Meal: Pair with roasted winter vegetables like brussels sprouts or glazed carrots to create a warm, hearty dinner experience that brings everyone together.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish a day before, refrigerate, and bake when ready to serve, perfect for reducing holiday cooking stress and maximizing family time.

Storing Your Christmas Stuffed Pasta

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed stuffed shells will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual portions or entire dish tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Frozen stuffed shells maintain quality for up to 2 months. Label container with date.
• Place single serving on microwave-safe plate. Cover with damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Place stuffed shells in baking dish, add splash of milk or sauce to prevent drying. Cover with foil, warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F.

Easy Christmas Stuffed Pasta Recipe

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4.5 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Italian holiday magic fills this homemade ricotta and spinach cannelloni with festive comfort. Delicate pasta tubes brim with creamy cheese and herbs, promising a delightful winter meal you’ll savor with family.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound large pasta shells
• 2 packages frozen spinach
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups provolone cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 3/4 cup parmesan cheese

Sauce and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 stick salted butter
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups white wine or broth
• 1/4 cup plain flour

Herbs and Vegetables:

• 3 cups sliced mushrooms
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prepare for the stuffed pasta.
2. Sauté mushrooms in butter over medium heat until they turn golden brown, then incorporate fragrant herbs to enhance the flavor profile.
3. Create a smooth sauce by whisking butter and flour to form a roux, then gradually add white wine and milk, stirring continuously until thickened. Fold in grated cheese until the sauce becomes creamy and well-integrated.
4. Cook pasta shells in salted boiling water until they reach al dente consistency, then drain and set aside to cool slightly.
5. Prepare the filling by combining ricotta cheese, crumbled provolone, and finely chopped spinach, mixing until ingredients are evenly distributed.
6. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish, then carefully stuff each pasta shell with the ricotta mixture. Arrange the filled shells in the dish, pour remaining sauce over the top, and sprinkle additional cheese and sautéed mushrooms for extra flavor.
7. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly, allowing the flavors to meld and the cheese to become perfectly melted.

Notes

• Swap spinach for kale or Swiss chard to add different nutrients and create variety in the dish.
• Use gluten-free shells and substitute flour with cornstarch in roux for a celiac-friendly version.
• Choose low-fat cheeses and reduce butter quantity to make the recipe lighter and more diet-conscious.
• Consider adding roasted garlic or caramelized onions to the filling for extra depth of flavor and complexity.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 535
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg