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5.0 from 15 votes

Unstuffed Shells

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.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 675 kcal
Course: Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine: Italian

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

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package directions in a large pot. Before draining, save at least 1 ½ cups of pasta water.
  2. 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..
  3. Meanwhile, in a food processor, add all ingredients needed for the cottage cheese whipped “ricotta” and pulse until smooth. Set aside.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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

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

% 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.