Heart-Healthy Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Indulge in a comforting yet nutritious meal with these Heart-Healthy Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells, a wholesome twist on a classic Italian-inspired dish. Jumbo whole-grain pasta shells are generously filled with a creamy mixture of fresh sautéed spinach, low-fat ricotta cheese, and a hint of Parmesan and Italian seasoning, then baked to perfection under a blanket of no-salt-added marinara sauce and melted part-skim mozzarella. Packed with fiber, protein, and reduced sodium, this recipe is a deliciously guilt-free way to enjoy pasta night while supporting your heart health. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prepping, these stuffed shells are sure to please your taste buds and nourish your body. Serve them with a crisp side salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced, crowd-pleasing meal!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 20 pieces Jumbo whole-grain pasta shells
• 10 cups Fresh spinach
• 1.5 cups Low-fat ricotta cheese
• 1 cup Part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large Egg
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 3 cups No-salt-added marinara sauce
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt (optional, or reduced-sodium)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until wilted. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked spinach with the low-fat ricotta cheese, 0.5 cups of the shredded mozzarella, the grated Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and optional salt. Mix well to form the filling.

Step 6

In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom.

Step 7

Stuff each cooked pasta shell with about 1-2 tablespoons of the spinach and ricotta mixture, then place them seam-side up in the prepared baking dish.

Step 8

Pour the remaining 2 cups of marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, making sure each shell is covered with sauce to keep them moist while baking.

Step 9

Sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cups of shredded mozzarella over the top.

Step 10

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.

Step 12

Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your heart-healthy spinach and ricotta stuffed shells!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2006.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5227.9

Total Fat 107.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 44.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.3g
Cholesterol 440.9mg	0%
Sodium 2263.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 850.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 128.0g	0%
Total Sugars 45.3g
Protein 232.9g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 2767.8mg	0%
Iron 53.7mg	0%
Potassium 2598.8mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 18.2%

Protein: 17.6%

Carbs: 64.2%