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5.0 from 57 votes

Stuffed Shells Recipe

Delicious Stuffed Shells with Cottage Cheese are protein-packed, vegetarian, and the perfect dinner for comfort food lovers!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 400 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian , Italian-American Fussion

Ingredients

  • 20 jumbo pasta shells (or use gluten-free pasta shells, such as Tinkyada shells.)
  • 4 ounces fresh baby spinach (2 packed cups chopped)
  • 16 ounces 2% cottage cheese (I like Good Culture, drained 2 cups*)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons pesto (prepared or homemade)
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt (plus more for the pasta water)
  • 2 ¼ cups marinara sauce (homemade or jarred, plus more for serving)
  • 1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese (shredded )
  • chopped fresh basil or parsley (for serving)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Place the spinach in a large pot with 3 tablespoons of water, cover and let the spinach steam for 1 minute, stirring, until the spinach is wilted. Transfer to a strainer and squeeze out the excess water and chop the spinach.
  3. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta shells according to package directions, 9 to 10 minutes. Drain and keep them separate to prevent them from sticking together.
  4. Meanwhile, while the noodles cook, in a large bowl combine cottage cheese, Parmesan, pesto, egg and ½ teaspoon salt. Mix in the spinach and mix well.
  5. Ladle about 1 cup sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Stuff each shell with about 2 tablespoons of the filling and place in the dish, cut side up. Ladle the remaining sauce over the shells and top each one with 1 tablespoon mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil without touching the cheese and bake for 40 minutes.
  6. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with more marinara on the side, if desired.

Notes

  • *If you prefer to use ricotta cheese, I recommend Polly-o. Simply swap it for the same amount.

Nutrition Information

Serving 4shells Calories 400kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 43.5g (15%) Protein 28g (56%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 5.5g (28%) Cholesterol 68.5mg (23%) Sodium 1019.5mg (42%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 8g (16%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 5servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 400

% Daily Value*

Serving 4shells
Calories 400kcal 20%
Carbohydrates 43.5g 15%
Protein 28g 56%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 5.5g 28%
Cholesterol 68.5mg 23%
Sodium 1019.5mg 42%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 8g 16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.