These are the best Air-Fryer-Stuffed Spinach Pasta Shells I have ever had! You can fill them with any fillings, but I chose spinach and ricotta cheese. The shells come out crispy on the outside while still being soft on the inside. They’re perfect for a quick dinner or an easy appetizer for your next party.
Are you looking for a quick and easy stuffed pasta dish but don’t want to use the oven? Well, then this is the recipe for you. You can make these Air Fryer Stuffed Spinach Pasta Shells in less than 20 minutes!
These are so good! I love comfort food as the weather starts to turn, this is one of the best!
A mouth-watering platter of stuffed shells meets your taste buds as you take a bite into this meal. The filling combines three types of cheese, spinach leaves topped with fresh herbs, and homemade or store-bought marinara sauce for that extra added flavor! It’s a pure comfort food that will make anyone feel satisfied without feeling guilty about overeating because it tastes so good!!!
If you are new to air frying or want some great Easy Air Fryer Recipes, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER RANCH CHICKEN, AIR FRYER CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA, AIR FRYER KUNG PAO CHICKEN, or AIR FRYER CLASSIC CHICKEN TENDERS (TENDERLOINS).
Air Fryer stuffed Shells Recipe
Stuffed shells are a classic Italian dish, typically made with ricotta cheese and other ingredients mixed inside the pasta. The mixture is then placed in the shell-shaped pasta before boiling it to create a hearty meal. Stuffed shells are usually served as an appetizer or main course for dinner parties.
And, of course, nothing makes them better than the air fryer!
Quick and delicious!
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Stuffed Spinach Pasta Shells
Here are the step-by-step instructions for making stuffed shells in air fryer:
- Pasta Shells: Large pasta shells are the perfect vessel for holding the savory spinach and cheese filling.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is used to sauté onions and garlic, adding a rich, aromatic flavor to the filling.
- Onions: Chopped onions are sautéed until soft, providing a sweet and savory base for the filling.
- Tomato Paste: Tomato paste adds a concentrated tomato flavor and depth to the sauce.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes add a juicy, tangy component to the sauce mixture.
- Minced Garlic: Minced garlic enhances flavor with its bold, aromatic essence.
- Italian Seasoning: Italian seasoning blends herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme to impart a classic Italian flavor.
- Salt: Salt is used to season the filling and sauce, enhancing the overall taste.
- Black Pepper: Black pepper adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor to the dish.
- Baby Spinach: Fresh baby spinach is sautéed and mixed into the cheese filling for a nutritious boost.
- Ricotta Cheese: Ricotta cheese adds a creamy, mild flavor to the spinach filling.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese adds a sharp, nutty flavor and helps to bind the filling.
How To Make Air Fryer Stuffed Spinach Pasta Shells
Here are the step-by-step instructions:
Step One: Cook the pasta shells as directed on the package.
Step Two: Make the marinara sauce by heating two tablespoons of olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. Once hot, add onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Add garlic, and sauté for 30 seconds. Next, add tomato paste, dried oregano, and dried basil, and cook for another minute. Finally, add the canned tomatoes and leave to cook for 20 minutes—season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step Three: Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan. Add spinach and cook for a few minutes until wilted. Take off heat and leave to cool for a few minutes, then place into a medium bowl. Mix in ricotta, parmesan cheese, egg yolk, lemon zest, half the mozzarella, and salt and pepper to taste.
Step Four: Pour the marinara sauce into the bottom of the baking pan. Fill the pasta shells with the spinach ricotta mixture and place them in the pan. Sprinkle over the remaining mozzarella cheese. Set the air fryer to 300 degrees F, air fryer setting, and set cook time for 12-14 minutes until the cheese has melted. Remove from air fryer and serve.
Air Fryer Stuffed Spinach Pasta Shells Recipe Tips
- Pre-cook Pasta Shells: Ensure that pasta shells are cooked al dente before stuffing to prevent them from becoming too soft during air frying.
- Cool Before Filling: Allow the cooked pasta shells to cool slightly before filling them to avoid the filling melting or becoming too runny.
- Use Non-stick Spray: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray to prevent the stuffed shells from sticking.
- Arrange in Single Layer: Place the stuffed shells in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure they cook evenly and get crispy.
- Monitor Cooking Time: Check the shells halfway through cooking to ensure they don’t overcook. Adjust the cooking time as needed based on the size of your air fryer.
- Add Toppings: For extra flavor, sprinkle some extra Parmesan cheese or a bit of Italian seasoning on top of the shells before air frying.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy the stuffed spinach pasta shells right after cooking for the best texture and flavor.
Air Fryer Stuffed Spinach Pasta Shells Recipe Faqs
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh? Yes, you can use frozen spinach. Just make sure to thaw and drain it thoroughly to remove excess moisture before mixing it into the filling.
What if I don’t have ricotta cheese? You can substitute ricotta cheese with cottage cheese or cream cheese for a similar creamy texture.
How do I prevent the stuffed shells from drying out? To prevent drying out, cover the stuffed shells with a bit of marinara sauce or extra cheese before air frying. Adding a small amount of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket can also help maintain moisture.
Can I prepare these shells ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the stuffed shells and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before air frying. Just ensure they are tightly covered.
How do I know when the shells are done? The shells are done when they are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can also check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe? While pasta shells are ideal for this recipe, you can use other large pasta shapes like conchiglie or even cannelloni if you adjust the cooking time accordingly.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER GARLIC BREAD
- AIR FRYER BREADED EGGPLANT
- Easy AIR FRYER IRISH SODA BREAD
- AIR FRYER PIZZA HUT BREADSTICKS
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Air Fryer Stuffed Spinach Pasta Shells
Description
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 14 oz 400g giant pasta shells
Marinara sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cans canned tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Spinach & ricotta filling:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 7 oz 200g baby spinach
- 9 oz 250g ricotta
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 egg yolk
- Zest of one lemon
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 2/3 cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta shells as directed on the package.
- Make marinara sauce by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. Once hot, add onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Add garlic, and sauté for 30 seconds. Next, add in tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, and cook for another minute. Finally, add canned tomatoes and leave to cook for 20 minutes—season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add spinach and cook for a few minutes until wilted. Take off heat and leave to cool for a few minutes, then place into a medium bowl. Mix in ricotta, parmesan cheese, egg yolk, lemon zest, half the mozzarella, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the marinara sauce on the bottom of the baking pan. Fill pasta shells with spinach ricotta mixture and place them into the pan. Sprinkle over the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Set air fryer to 300˚F and cook for 12-14 minutes, until cheese has melted.
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Baking Pan, any oven-safe pan that is smaller than the air fryer basket
- Cooking Spray
Notes
What Type of Shells To Use?
When you head to the grocery store, look for jumbo pasta shells, conchiglioni, or manicotti shells! You can use either oven-ready or regular jumbo pasta shells (which need to be cooked before stuffed) Can I Use Frozen Spinach? Yes, you will need to thaw it and then fully drain it before using it in the recipe. But the recipe will work precisely the same.Recipe Variations:
Meat: Add some cooked ground Italian sausage, diced meatballs, shredded BBQ Chicken, or even cooked chorizo sausage. Sauce: If you do not want to make your sauce, you can easily use jarred tomatoes or pasta sauce. For an extra treat, use Alfredo or even cheese sauce. Vegetables: Looking for a hearty vegetarian option, you can add diced zucchini, celery, or even carrots to your pasta sauce.Nutrition
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