Stuffed Pasta Shells Surprise
Ingredients
- 24 jumbo pasta shells ⓘ
- 1/4 pound ground beef ⓘ
- cooking spray ⓘ
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese ⓘ
- 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
- 1 tablespoon prepared pesto ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder ⓘ
- 1 (24 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce ⓘ
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese ⓘ
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the shell pasta, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 13 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in the ground beef. Cook and stir until the beef is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease.
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray 2 9x13-inch baking dishes with cooking spray. Combine the 2 cups mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, spinach, and pesto together in a bowl.
- Stir half of the cheese-spinach mixture into the cooked beef. Season with garlic powder. Spread about 1 cup spaghetti sauce into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Stuff 12 pasta shells with the beef and cheese mixture, then arrange in the baking dish. Top with the remaining spaghetti sauce, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
- Mix the remaining spinach-cheese mixture with ham and crab. Stuff the last 12 pasta shells with the ham mixture, and arrange in another 9x13-inch baking dish sprayed with nonstick spray. Pour the alfredo sauce on top, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
- Bake both casseroles in the preheated oven until the cheese melts and the sauce is bubbly, about 30 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
882
kcal
44% DV
Protein
Fat
Carbs
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
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).