Herb and Ricotta Filled Pasta is stuffed penne pasta covered in a hearty homemade marinara sauce and Italian cheeses. In less than an hour, you will be enjoying the ultimate saucy, cheesy comfort dish!
If you want more hearty baked pasta meals, then you have to try this Easy Homemade Lasagna and Italian Sausage and Tortellini Bake.
Table of contents
This Herb and Ricotta Filled Pasta recipe was inspired by an intense craving for Italian food. While searching Pinterest for ricotta pasta ideas, I was inspired by Homemade Hooplah’s ricotta stuffed shells. I love how easily adaptable her recipe is!
These stuffed pasta shells are filled with fresh herbs and ricotta then smothered in my homemade tomato sauce and topped with more savory, cheesy goodness. Prepare to enjoy the best stuffed pasta shells you have ever tasted!
Ingredients for Stuffed Pasta
- Pasta: I used jumbo-sized penne pasta in order to make sure I had space for the herb and ricotta filling.
- Ricotta cheese: Pasta with ricotta is such a tasty combination. The creamy texture and the slightly sweet flavor complements fresh tomato sauce.
- Meat: I chose crumbled mild Italian sausage because added protein makes this dish super filling!
- Tomato sauce: I used my Homemade Marinara sauce recipe but if you do not have time, you can settle for store-bought tomato sauce.
- Cheese: I upped the cheesy factor by including shredded mozzarella because it melts beautifully.
- Fresh Herbs: This inclusion adds a depth of flavor to the ricotta. I used fresh basil and thyme.
- Spinach: I added spinach because we could all use more veggies in our diet!
How to Make Herb and Ricotta Filled Pasta
Cook Penne Pasta
Firstly, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then add 8-10 cups of water to a large stockpot. Add 1-2 teaspoons of salt in order to flavor the water. Once the water begins to boil, add the penne pasta.
Boil over medium-high for 10 minutes. When the pasta is al dente, drain the water and run cold water over it in order to halt the cooking process.
Cook the Meat
Next add the mild Italian sausage to a skillet that is over medium heat. Cook the sausage and begin crumbling it up with a spatula or spoon. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until it is no longer pink.
After the meat is thoroughly cooked, add the homemade marinara sauce to the skillet. Simmer the sauce on low for 5 minutes. Once it begins to bubble, add the spinach and stir it in thoroughly. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
How to Make Herb and Ricotta Filling
In a medium-size bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, basil, and thyme. Mix well.
Add the cheese mixture to a small ziploc bag. Cut a small slit in one end of the bag. Begin filling the cooked pasta with the ricotta cheese mixture.
Baking Herb and Ricotta Filled Pasta
Next, pour a small amount of the marinara sauce to a pre-greased 9x13 baking dish. Place one layer of the filled pasta into the baking dish. Cover with some of the marinara sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
Continue layering the pasta. On the final layer, add the remaining marinara sauce, and cover with mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle chopped basil on top.
Finally, cover with foil and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
Variations for Herb and Ricotta Filled Pasta
There are different types of stuffed pasta and you can adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences. It is very easy to get creative with this dish so give it a try!
Pasta
- Ravioli
- Conchiglie (also known as large pasta shells)
- Manicotti
Pasta Filling
- Mozzarella cheese
- Italian sausage
- Sautéed veggies
- Ground beef
- Chicken
- Spinach
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz package of Pennone pasta
- 1 8 oz container of Ricotta cheese
- 1 package of Mild Italian sausage
- 4 cups Homemade Marinara sauce
- 16 ounces Mozzarella cheese shredded
- ½ cup Fresh Basil chopped, reserve 1-2 tablespoons for garnish
- ¼ cup Fresh Thyme
- 3 cups Fresh spinach
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add 8-10 cups of water to a large stock pot. Place it over medium high heat to bring it to a boil. Add 1-2 teaspoons of salt to flavor the water. Once the water begins to boil, add the Pennone pasta. Boil over medium high for 10 minutes, check the pasta by removing one piece. Pasta is done when it is al dente.
- Drain the water and run cold water of the pasta so that it stops the cooking process.
- Add the mild italian sausage to a skillet that is over medium heat. Cook the sausage and begin crumbling it up with a spatula or spoon. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until it is no longer pink.
- After the meat is thoroughly cooked, add the marinara sauce to the skillet. Simmer the sauce on low for 5 minutes. Once it begins to bubble, add the spinach and stir it in thoroughly. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
- Pour a small amount of the marinara sauce to a pre-greased 9x13 baking dish.
- In a medium size bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, basil, and thyme. Mix well. Add the cheese mixture to a small ziploc bag. Cut a small slit in one end of the bag.
- Begin filling the cooked pasta with the ricotta cheese mixture. Place one layer of the filled pasta into the baking dish. Cover with some of the marinara sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Continue layering the pasta. On the final layer, add the remaining marinara sauce, and cover with mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle chopped basil on top.
- Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
Nidhi Kinger
Hi! I love how informative and great your articles are. Can you recommend a list of citrus fruits and vegetables that can be used to make healthy snacks or treats? Thanks a lot!
Sadia Malik
I have never tried giant pasta dishes, this looks interesting
Tamara J.
It is a great dish for the family to enjoy together.
Brynn McDowell
This sounds amazing! So creamy and full of flavor, love comforting hearty dishes like this.
Tamara J.
It is definitely a comfort meal!
Amy Chung
Love this idea about stuffing the pasta! You're right, the combination of what we can stuff in it is kinda endless! Sausage sounds like a winner ot me:)
Tamara J.
Yes, sausage would be delicious!
Chef Mireille
I've never seen Pennone pasta before. I am going to have to look out for it so that I can try this delicious looking recipe!
Tamara J.
I found it at my local Trader Joe’s. Yes I hope you give it a try!