Pesto Stuffed Shells
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
5 4 shells each
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Calories
52226 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
American
Pesto Stuffed Shells
Description
Pesto Stuffed Shells are made by filling tender jumbo pasta shells with a blend of cheese and greens. Thawed, well-drained spinach is combined with ricotta and shredded mozzarella cheeses, basil pesto, and an egg to bind the mixture. Each pre-cooked shell is carefully filled to avoid tearing, maintaining a neat presentation.
Arranged in a casserole dish with pasta sauce beneath and poured over the top, the shells bake at 350ºF until bubbling and heated through. This dish balances the richness of cheeses with herbaceous pesto and a splash of tomato sauce, suitable as a main course for a family meal.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. spinach $0.85, frozen, thawed
- 15 oz. ricotta cheese $1.99
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese $1.00, shredded
- 1/2 cup basil pesto $0.85
- 1 egg $0.27, large
- 8 oz. jumbo pasta shells $1.66, about 22-25 shells
- 24 oz. pasta sauce $1.19
Instructions
- Make sure the spinach is completely thawed, then squeeze out as much of the moisture as possible. Add the spinach to a large bowl with the ricotta, mozzarella, pesto, and egg. Stir until the ingredients are well combined, then refrigerate until it's ready to be used.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the jumbo shells. Cook the shells just until they're tender, making sure not to over cook the pasta. The longer the shells boil, the more likely they are to tear during the stuffing process. Drain the shells in a colander and then rinse briefly with cool water to make them cool enough to handle.
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spread about 1 cup of pasta sauce in the bottom of a large casserole dish.
- One by one, stuff each shell with a couple tablespoons of the cheese, pesto, and spinach mixture. Place the shells in the casserole dish as you stuff them.
- Once the shells are all stuffed, pour the remaining two cups of pasta sauce over top. Bake the shells for about 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the sauce is bubbling up around the edges. Serve hot.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 54 shells each
Amount Per Serving
Calories 52226 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1Serving | |
| Calories | 522.26kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 54.4g | 18% |
| Protein | 23.04g | 46% |
| Fat | 23.88g | 37% |
| Sodium | 1203.6mg | 50% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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