Description
Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Shells are a delicious and hearty dish filled with a creamy spinach and cheese mixture, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, oregano, salt, pepper, and the cooled spinach mixture. Mix until well combined.
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Stuff each cooked pasta shell with the spinach and cheese mixture and place them in the baking dish.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the stuffed shells cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute part-skim ricotta cheese and use whole wheat pasta shells.
- You can also add cooked ground turkey or beef to the cheese mixture for added protein.
- For a vegetarian twist, include chopped sun-dried tomatoes or artichokes in the filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg