Vegan Ricotta Jumbo Stuffed Shells (Creamy, Cozy, Holiday-Ready!)

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Every year as the holidays creep closer — right around the time the air smells like cinnamon pinecones and every store is selling oversized tins of popcorn — I start craving one thing: stuffed shells. Warm, cheesy, bubbling stuffed shells.

But as a vegan, the question hits fast:
“Okay … but what do I actually STUFF them with?”

And that’s when this recipe steps in like the holiday hero it is.

These Vegan Ricotta Jumbo Stuffed Shells use a homemade ricotta that’s creamy, tangy, and honestly so convincing that nobody at the table will question it. It’s rich enough for a festive holiday dinner but simple enough for a cozy weeknight meal with your kids — even the picky ones.

Why These Stuffed Shells Feel Like a Holiday Hug

Stuffed shells are one of those nostalgic recipes that feel like they belong on the table next to twinkling lights, warm bread, and someone asking you if you remembered to thaw the pie. They’re comforting, familiar, and just a little bit indulgent.

This vegan ricotta hits all the flavor notes:

• Creamy
• Slightly tangy
• Savory
• Smooth and satisfying

And when it’s tucked inside perfectly cooked jumbo shells and baked in marinara … ohhhh yes. It’s holiday magic without the holiday stress.

My Honest Review (What Makes These Special)

These stuffed shells surprised me. I mean REALLY surprised me.

The ricotta is:

• Light but rich
• Tangy in that classic ricotta way
• Budget-friendly (a fraction of store-bought vegan ricotta!)
• Kid-approved
• Impossible to mess up

The shells come out so soft and satisfying that it’s hard to eat just one — so I’m warning you now: double the batch if you’re hosting.

And the best part? This dish looks super fancy when you pull it out of the oven. No one needs to know you threw it together while your kid was asking for a snack for the fifteenth time.

How to Use This Vegan Ricotta

Use it to stuff:

• Jumbo shells
• Lasagna
• Baked ziti
• Cannelloni

Or just spread it on toast with tomatoes. (Ask me how I know).

This ricotta is versatile, inexpensive, and tastes like something from a cozy Italian restaurant where the servers call you “sweetheart.”

Quick Ingredient Snapshot

Not the full list, just the vibe:

• Jumbo pasta shells
• Homemade vegan ricotta (super easy!)
• Spinach or herbs
• Marinara sauce
• Italian seasoning
• Olive oil
• Salt + pepper

Simple, pantry-friendly, weeknight-friendly.

Quick Instructions

1. Cook the jumbo shells.
2. Mix the vegan ricotta with seasonings (and spinach if you want).
3. Stuff each shell generously.
4. Nestle them into marinara sauce.
5. Bake until hot, bubbly, and perfect.

Serve with:

• A side salad
• Homemade garlic bread
• Holiday music playing in the background (optional but strongly encouraged)

Budget Friendly + Crowd Approved

If you’ve ever picked up a container of vegan ricotta at the store, you know the price will make you gasp louder than when you drop your phone face-down on the floor.

This homemade version?
A fraction of the cost
More flavorful
WAY creamier

And your guests — vegan or not — will absolutely devour it.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re planning a holiday gathering, a cozy Sunday dinner, or just trying to get something nutritious into your kids between activity drop-offs, these Vegan Ricotta Jumbo Stuffed Shells deliver every single time.

Comforting.
Creamy.
Cheesy (without cheese!).
Budget-friendly.
And so simple it almost feels like cheating.

Serve them with garlic bread, a side salad, and maybe a sprinkle of vegan parmesan on top, and you’ve officially won dinner.

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