Unstuffed Shells
User Reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
675 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
Italian
Unstuffed Shells
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Unstuffed Shells are a quick and easy twist on classic stuffed shells, featuring tender pasta tossed with a meaty marinara sauce served over a creamy whipped cottage cheese mixture instead of being individually filled. This 30 minute recipe is perfect for busy nights, offering all the comforting flavors of traditional baked shells with less effort.
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Ingredients
Noodles
- 1 box jumbo stuffed shells 12 oz
- 1 ½ cups pasta water *always save more than needed just in case!
Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small white onion diced
- 8 oz ground turkey sausage
- 8 oz ground spicy Italian pork sausage
- 1 large can diced tomatoes 28 ooz
- 6 oz tomato paste
- ½ cup fresh basil julienned
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
Whipped Cheese
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup chopped basil
- ½ tbsp Italian seasoning
- pinch red pepper flakes optional
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Instructions
- Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package directions in a large pot. Before draining, save at least 1 ½ cups of pasta water.
- Heat the large pot again with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion to the pot. Brown for 5 minutes, then add the turkey & pork sausage. Break sausage into clumps and allow the sausage to cook, stirring throughout..
- Meanwhile, in a food processor, add all ingredients needed for the cottage cheese whipped “ricotta” and pulse until smooth. Set aside.
- Once the sausage is almost cooked through, add the canned tomatoes, tomato paste, and 1 cup of pasta water. Stir. For more flavor, season sauce with salt, black pepper, italian seasoning, and/or red pepper flakes to taste.
- Fold in the tender pasta shells. Add the finely chopped basil to the sauce and stir together. If the sauce is too thick, add in pasta water to thin as necessary. While the pasta is still warm, stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- To serve, spread the cottage cheese mixture onto the bottom of your bowls, add the pasta noodles on top and garnish with fresh basil. Enjoy!
Notes
- Do NOT rinse the pasta noodles because the starch on the surface helps the homemade sauce cling better.
- Store the cheese mixture and noodles separately in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also choose to combine the whole thing which will create a more creamy sauce instead of separate components.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1serving
Calories
675kcal
(34%)
Carbohydrates
47g
(16%)
Protein
51g
(102%)
Fat
32g
(49%)
Saturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Cholesterol
118mg
(39%)
Sodium
1247mg
(52%)
Potassium
1208mg
(35%)
Fiber
6g
(24%)
Sugar
18g
(36%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 675 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 675kcal | 34% |
| Carbohydrates | 47g | 16% |
| Protein | 51g | 102% |
| Fat | 32g | 49% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 118mg | 39% |
| Sodium | 1247mg | 52% |
| Potassium | 1208mg | 26% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 18g | 36% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
15 reviews
Excellent
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