Name: Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Shells
Cook time: 75 min
Total time: 120 min
Ingredients: 24 jumbo pasta shells, (8 ounces); 1.5 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil; 2 onions, finely chopped; 2 pounds fresh spinach, trimmed and washed, or two 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry; 2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese; 0.66666668653488 cup plain dry breadcrumbs; 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided; 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 0.125 teaspoon salt; Freshly ground pepper, to taste; 1 large egg white, lightly beaten; 3 cups prepared marinara sauce, preferably low-sodium

Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Shells

4.2

(9)

8 Reviews

Our stuffed shells are filled with spinach, sautéed onions and part-skim ricotta and topped with prepared marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese. The shells hold and reheat well, which makes them great for entertaining.

EatingWell Test Kitchen

Updated on August 16, 2019

Cook Time:

1 hrs 15 mins

Additional Time:

45 mins

Total Time:

2 hrs

Servings:

Yield:

6 servings

Nutrition Profile:

Bone Health Healthy Aging Healthy Immunity Healthy Pregnancy High Calcium High-Protein Low Sodium Low-Calorie Vegetarian

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

24 jumbo pasta shells, (8 ounces)
1 ½ teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped
2 pounds fresh spinach, trimmed and washed, or two 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
⅔ cup plain dry breadcrumbs
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
3 cups prepared marinara sauce, preferably low-sodium

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cook shells in a large pot of boiling water, stirring often, until just tender, about 15 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. If using fresh spinach, add it in batches and toss with tongs until wilted. Drain in a colander, pressing out excess moisture with the back of a spoon. Let cool. If using thawed frozen, add it to the onions and toss to mix well. Set aside.
Combine ricotta, breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan and nutmeg in a bowl; mix well. Add the reserved spinach and season with salt and pepper. Stir in egg white.
Stuff each of the reserved shells with a generous 2 tablespoons of the ricotta mixture. Spread 1 cup marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer. Top with the remaining 2 cups of the sauce and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake until the top is golden and the shells are heated through, about 30 minutes. (If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil.) Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

439	Calories
13g	Fat
58g	Carbs
25g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 439
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 58g	21%
Dietary Fiber 7g	26%
Total Sugars 9g
Added Sugars 3g	6%
Protein 25g	49%
Total Fat 13g	16%
Saturated Fat 6g	29%
Cholesterol 31mg	10%
Vitamin A 14761IU	295%
Vitamin C 50mg	56%
Folate 441mcg	110%
Sodium 569mg	25%
Calcium 489mg	38%
Iron 8mg	43%
Magnesium 160mg	38%
Potassium 1087mg	23%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.