High Protein Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Elevate your pasta night with these High Protein Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells—a healthier twist on the classic Italian favorite! Packed with a creamy blend of low-fat ricotta, high-protein cottage cheese, and nutrient-rich spinach, these jumbo pasta shells deliver a satisfying and nutritious meal. A hint of Parmesan and Italian seasoning boosts the flavor, while a blanket of marinara sauce and melty mozzarella takes this dish to the next level. Perfect for meal prep or a crowd-pleasing dinner, this easy-to-make comfort dish offers a balance of indulgence and health. Ready in just over an hour, it’s a protein-packed pasta recipe that’s sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

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)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Pour the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells.

Step 7

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the dish.

Step 8

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Step 9

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 10

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1841.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2309.3

Total Fat 122.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 63.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 538.6mg	0%
Sodium 5612.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 101.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.8g	0%
Total Sugars 34.7g
Protein 190.3g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 3922.9mg	0%
Iron 9.3mg	0%
Potassium 2224.6mg	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: 48.5%

Protein: 33.6%

Carbs: 18.0%