High Protein Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Elevate your dinner game with these High Protein Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells—a hearty, satisfying, and nutritious twist on a classic Italian favorite! Perfect for families or meal prep enthusiasts, this dish features jumbo pasta shells generously filled with a creamy blend of low-fat ricotta, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, and nutrient-packed spinach, seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs for bold, savory flavors. Topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella, these stuffed shells are baked to perfection, creating a bubbling, cheesy masterpiece that's protein-rich and guilt-free. Ready in under an hour, this oven-baked delight is a wholesome option that feels indulgent yet supports a balanced lifestyle. Ideal as a main dish for cozy weeknight meals or special gatherings!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 20 pieces Jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups Ricotta cheese (low-fat, high-protein if available)
- 1 cup Frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
- 1 cup Cottage cheese (low-fat, high-protein)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 large Egg
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese (shredded, part-skim)
- 2 cups Marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil (for greasing)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, thawed and drained spinach, egg, garlic powder, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the filling is thoroughly mixed.
Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Stuff each cooked pasta shell with about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the ricotta and spinach mixture. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer in the baking dish.
Pour the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the dish.
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your high-protein spinach and ricotta stuffed shells!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2309 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 122.0 g | 156% | |
| Saturated Fat | 63.0 g | 315% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 539 mg | 180% | |
| Sodium | 5613 mg | 244% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 101.7 g | 37% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 11.8 g | 42% | |
| Total Sugars | 34.7 g | ||
| Protein | 190.3 g | 381% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 3923 mg | 302% | |
| Iron | 9.3 mg | 52% | |
| Potassium | 2225 mg | 47% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
