Spinach-Stuffed Shells
Creamy spinach-stuffed shells offer a comforting blend of tender pasta, savory tomato sauce, and nutritious spinach, topped with cottage cheese for added richness. Perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests, this dish combines classic Italian flavors with hearty, cheesy goodness that appeals to all ages.
Ingredients
- 1 small onion, diced ⓘ
- 2 (14 1/2 oz.) cans whole tomatoes, undrained ⓘ
- 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 2 tsp. brown sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1 tsp. dried whole oregano ⓘ
- 24 jumbo shells ⓘ
- 2 (10 oz.) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) cottage cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Place a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Spray with cooking spray and sauté the diced onion until tender.
- Add the undrained canned tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and dried oregano. Stir well.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook the jumbo shells according to package instructions, then drain.
- Stuff each cooked shell with the thawed and drained chopped spinach and cottage cheese mixture.
- Serve the stuffed shells with the prepared tomato sauce.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider mixing in some garlic or red pepper flakes when sautéing the onions. If you don’t have cottage cheese, ricotta can be a great substitute. You can also use fresh spinach instead of frozen; just sauté it until wilted. Serve these shells with a side of Lo-Cal Italian Salad Dressing for a refreshing contrast.
Serving Suggestions
These Spinach-Stuffed Shells make a hearty main dish and pair beautifully with a simple green salad or garlic bread. For a more filling meal, serve alongside Easy Vegetable Lasagna. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top just before serving adds a nice touch.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the stuffed shells in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm them in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual servings for a quicker option.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spinach-Stuffed Shells contains roughly 1111 calories, with 28g protein, 139g carbohydrates, and 53g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (67% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (61% of the Daily Value), and protein (57% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2748mg per serving (119% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these shells ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the stuffed shells ahead of time. Assemble them and store them in the refrigerator before baking, or freeze them for later. If freezing, consider undercooking the shells slightly to prevent them from becoming mushy when reheated.
What can I use instead of frozen spinach?
If you prefer fresh spinach, you can substitute it for the frozen kind. About 1 pound of fresh spinach, cooked down, will yield the same amount. Just be sure to drain it well before mixing with the cottage cheese.
Can I add meat to this recipe?
Absolutely! If you’d like to incorporate meat, cooked ground beef or turkey can be mixed into the tomato sauce for added protein. Just sauté the meat before adding it to the sauce, and it will enhance the flavor of the dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).