Ricotta and Spinach Stuffed Pasta Shells

Submitted by Terese

"A great Italian dish for vegetarians or pasta lovers."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 25mins
• Ingredients: 7
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 32 large pasta shells (conchiglioni in Italian)
• 500 g spinach
• 250 g low-fat ricotta cheese
• 500 g low fat cottage cheese
• 600 ml bottled pasta sauce
• 250 ml vegetable stock
• 1 tablespoon finely grated parmesan cheese

directions

1. Cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling water, uncovered, 3 minutes; drain.
2. Cool slightly.
3. Preheat oven to moderate.
4. Boil, steam or microwave spinach until just wilted; drain.
5. Chop spinach finely, squeeze out excess liquid.
6. Combine spinach in a large bowl with ricotta and cottage cheese; spoon spinach mixture into pasta shells.
7. Combine sauce and stock in oiled shallow 2 litre (8 cup) ovenproof dish.
8. Place pasta shells in dish; sprinkle with parmesan.
9. Bake, covered, in moderate oven about 1 hour or until pasta is tender.

Reviews

[MollyJ]

I used this recipe as a launching point for a Lenten supper. I could not find the large shells suitable for stuffing, so I used whole grain shells, medium sized. I used a jar of marinara and to that I sauteed and added onion, garlic, green peppers and mushrooms. I seasoned that with Italian Herb mix and a couple dashes of dried pepper flakes. I was going to add zucchini to that also but decided not to (time). Then I made a ricotta, cottage cheese combo with one egg and some added parmesan and black pepper. I cooked and drained spinach and stirred that into the ricotta. Then I layered noodles, sauce and ricotta mixture twice and topped it with some shredded mozarella. Baked it for 30-40 minutes, foil covered. Took foil off for the last 10 minutes. DS didn't like it--too many veggies--but DH and I enjoyed it. I served it with "Recipe #44889" and it was YUMMY!

 

[KissKiss]

Very good, but like another reviewer said it could use some spices. It was a little bland, but I loved the texture and the lightness of it. Great dish that I will definitely make again, but I'll play with the spices a little. Thanks for a keeper!

 

[ellie_]

This is a very good stuffed shell recipe for vegetarian night. I added some pasta sauce to cover the pasta shells along with additional parmesan. We had this with Italian Bread for the Bread Machine recipe#50917 for an outstanding healthy pasta meal. Thanks Terese for posting this delicious pasta recipe.

 

[Derf2440]

Very good supper, not too difficult to make but could use some spices, it was quite bland, I would use some Italian spice mix next time, mixed with the cheeses and maybe a little pinch of hot pepper flakes. All in all it was a good recipe and we enjoyed it, served with a crispy green salad and some crusty rolls. Thanks for sharing.