I made a Healthy Stuffed Shells Recipe that I found online for lunch today and they were really delicious and something I plan on making again soon. I could eat pasta for breakfast, lunch or dinner. How about you?
Pasta is something that can easily fit into any busy lifestyle. With pasta the budget friendly dishes that you can create are endless. Pasta is a complex carb that provides our bodies with fuel. Pasta goes great with fiber-filled vegetables and beans, heart healthy fish oils, antioxidant-rich tomato sauce and poultry and lean meats to create dishes that active families will enjoy.
My family loves pasta and I try to incorporate it in many of our meals. My kids probably would say that spaghetti is their favorite but I am leaning more towards lasagna and stuffed shells. I love making stuffed shells but today I tried a healthier than my own. I love that these stuffed shells are delicious, easy to make and have veggies inside. I normally try to sneak the spinach in mine, but this was the first time I have had this type of dish with carrots and I thought it was a great little twist.
Healthy Stuffed Shells Recipe
For those that want to try these delicious stuffed pasta shells, below is the recipe from the PastaFits website.
- 24 Jumbo Shells, uncooked
- 2 cups low-sodium canned tomato sauce
- 1 10-oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
- 8 oz. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 1 3/4 cup)
- 1 1/2 cups low-fat, part-skim ricotta cheese
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and grated (about 2/3 cup)
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- Large pinch ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Drain thoroughly.
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Squeeze as much water as possible from the thawed spinach.
- In a large bowl, stir together the spinach, mozzarella, ricotta, carrots, egg whites, pepper and nutmeg until thoroughly blended.
- Line the bottom of an 11 x 7-inch baking dish with 1/2 cup tomato sauce. Divide the ricotta mixture among the pasta shells, pressing the filling into the shells with spoon to completely fill each shell.
- Arrange the shells side by side in a baking dish. Coat the shells with an even layer of the remaining tomato sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Bake until the center of the shells are heated through and the sauce is bubbling (about 40 minutes). Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
The Pasta Fits website is a nutrition and culinary education and resource initiative that is sponsored by the National Pasta Association. The site offers yummy recipes like these healthy stuffed shells, you can find nutrition information, contests and promotions and other cooking tips and pasta facts.
Want to find out more, you can also find Pasta Fits here:
- Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PastaFits
- Twitter – https://twitter.com/PastaFits
- Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/pastafits/
I have a stuffed shell recipe that I make a lot. I have never used veggies in it but have always wanted to try adding spinach. This looks good and will have to try it.
Looks delicious! I love pasta
This looks so delicious. I have made a stuffed shells recipe that I have and everyone loves it. I would like to make this healthier recipe! Thanks for sharing!
I love stuffed shells! They’re so cheesy and delicious. Yours look fabulous!
I love stuffed shells and yours looks so yummy! Mine are not healthy, but they are full of different cheeses and I have started adding just a bit of hamburger meat to them for my husband
This recipe looks awesome. I have made Manicotti with spinach in it before and love it so I know this would be delicious.
I like the idea of sneaking veggies into stuffed shells! Looks like a tasty dinner.
I LOVE stuffed shells although my family, not so much. I wish I had know about pasta day, I’ll have to catch it next year (and have lots of pasta while I wait!)
It’s hard not to think of pasta as the bad guy- I think this recipe is a great compromise for those who love their pasta, while still being conscious of what they are eating. I will be making this for sure!
This recipe is delish! Perfect for this time of year too when it is cold outside.
I grew up in an Italian family where it was normal to make homemade pasta. Unfortunately, I don’t set aside the time to do it now that I’m a mom. Your stuffed shells recipe is making me think I really need to add it to my schedule!
I just had stuffed shells for dinner last night but they were not healthy like yours. Yummy!
I love pasta, and the filling in this recipe looks really yummy. Carrots would be good! Never thought of doing that, before. I don’t eat red sauce as I can’t handle the acid from the tomatoes, but I’ll bet this would be good with a light butter and cream sauce, instead.
I never thought about this. Stuffed shells sounds very delish and can make a great school lunch.
I absolutely love stuffed shells and I think it’s great that this version is a little healthier than the average.