Christmas Stuffed Shells

12 oz. box of large pasta shells
4 cups ricotta cheese (I like our local brand Lamagna. A good ricotta makes a difference.)
1 ½ cups mozzarella, shredded
¼ cup Parmesan cheese + 1T for top
2 eggs
1T parsley
¼ t nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
Your favorite sauce-about 3 cups

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta according to box directions.

Mix together ricotta, eggs, parsley, nutmeg, salt, pepper and Parmesan. Add mozzarella to this mixture.

Cover the bottom of baking dish with a layer of sauce. Fill each shell with cheese mixture and place in baking dish. Spoon more sauce on top and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes or until bubbly. Take out and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

This recipe started out as something I most likely found in a cookbook years ago when I was trying to find a good make ahead meal. I needed that as a mother of four small children and a holiday filled with a lot of activities and family visits.

I make this and a few other things the day before and put them in the oven on Christmas Day so I can enjoy the festivities.

Some family members say the leftovers taste even better and have them for breakfast the next day. Why not?

~ Donna