5.0 from 6 votes
Baked Shells with Beef, Sundried Tomatoes & Spinach Recipe
These lightened-up baked pasta shells are a family favorite. Stuffed with beef, sun dried tomatoes and spinach for extra flavor and nutrients.
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 395 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 8 ounces large pasta shells
Filling:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 ½ cups packed roughly chopped fresh spinach
- ½ cup sundried tomatoes chopped
- 12 ounces low-fat cottage cheese
- ½ teaspoon dried chile flakes
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced fresh basil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 ¾ cups tomato sauce
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta shells and cook until just tender.
- For the filling, heat olive oil in a large frying pan set over medium heat. Add onions and saute until soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute for additional 30 seconds.
- Turn up the heat to medium-high. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking up with wooden spoon, until beef is cooked through. Put a lid on top (slightly askew) and pour any accumulated juice out of the pan. Transfer ground beef mixture to a large bowl.
- Stir in spinach and sun dried tomatoes until combined.
- Place the cottage cheese in the bowl of a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.
- Allow the beef mixture to cool, then stir in cottage cheese, dried chile flakes and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Fill each shell with 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture.
- Prepare a 9- by 13-inch baking pan by spreading 1 cup tomato sauce on the bottom. Arrange pasta shells, opening-side up, in the pan. Spread additional 2 cups tomato sauce on top, and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for additional 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Serving
4Stuffed Shells
Calories
395kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
44g
(15%)
Protein
35g
(70%)
Fat
9g
(14%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Cholesterol
56mg
(19%)
Sodium
1224mg
(51%)
Potassium
1159mg
(33%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
12g
(24%)
Vitamin A
1485IU
(30%)
Vitamin C
15.5mg
(17%)
Calcium
182mg
(18%)
Iron
4.7mg
(26%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 395
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 4Stuffed Shells | |
| Calories | 395kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 44g | 15% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 56mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 1224mg | 51% |
| Potassium | 1159mg | 25% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 1485IU | 30% |
| Vitamin C | 15.5mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 182mg | 18% |
| Iron | 4.7mg | 26% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.