This is one of Jack’s favorite meals. These stuffed shells are so yummy. They freeze wonderfully if you make up a big batch place shells in a freezer bag and pull out as you need them. I add spinach and carrots to get more veggies in and the lean turkey keeps it pretty healthy!
1 package frozen, chopped spinach, thawed & drained well
1 pound ground turkey
1 (8-ounce) package lo-fat cream cheese, softened
1 sweet onion, chopped
1 to 2 carrots, chopped fine
Parmesan Cheese
Salt and pepper
1 egg
1 (1-pound) package jumbo pasta shells
1 jar your fav Pasta Sauce
Cook shells, drain & cool. Brown the turkey,drain. Place turkey in large bowl with the spinach. Stir in the cream cheese until blended. Sauté onions and carrots until tender. Transfer to the bowl with the other ingredients and stir to combine. Add grated cheese, salt, and pepper, to taste, and combine. Let mixture cool and then add egg. Preheat the oven to 350. Place shells in a large baking pan and cover with tomato sauce. Cover with foil and bake for approximately 1 hour. Serve. Shells freeze beautifully. Add sauce when ready to cook.
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stuffed shells
Chicken Stuffed Shells
I had some frozen chicken breast in the freezer and just couldn’t decide what to do with them. I checked out the pantry & fridge and found some cottage cheese, shells, marinara sauce and the plan started from there. I tossed the frozen breast in the crockpot with 1 cup chicken broth & 14oz marinara sauce. Set on high to cook for 4 hrs. I shredded the chicken and place in a bowl. Added cheeses, spices etc.
3 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 cup cottage cheese
4 oz cream cheese
1 (28oz) marinara sauce (1/2 to cook chicken in/ 1/2 to pour on top of shells)
1 (10oz) frozen chopped spinach (thawed excess moisture removed)
salt & pepper to taste
top with parm cheese
Mix everything together, stuff in shells, pour remaining sauce over top and cook 45mins on 350. Top with cheese. Hubs & j-bird LOVED!! He ate as many as Daddy!! He said Mommy “dis is good”! I’d say that is a SCORE!!
For more TEMPT YOUR TUMMY RECIPES go HERE!!
Featured Chef Tuesday~ Dawn’s Stuffed Shells
It’s that time again, Featured Chef Tuesday and my good friend Dawn shared:
Here is a family favorite of ours…it is a great meal to serve to guests because it goes a long way and I like to serve with a nice salad and maybe homemade garlic bread. It is not a low fat meal but it is well worth the calories!! Who doesn’t love cheese?
INGREDIENTS:
1 Box of Jumbo Shells
1 lb of Ground Turkey or Ground Beef
2 tsp Minced Garlic (I use the jar)
1 Small can Spinach or small frozen bag
1 Egg
1 Lrg container of Cottage Cheese**
2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese ( I use grated)
Salt & Pepper to taste
OR you could try
1 Small container of Cottage Cheese**
1 Small container of Ricotta Cheese**
Boil Jumbo Shells per directions on box. Brown ground turkey/beef and add 1 tsp of the minced garlic, drain and add spaghetti sauce. Set aside. Mix the remainder of the ingredients in a large bowl and then stuff that mixture into the individual shells (sounds like a lot of work but it goes fast). Pour sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish and add stuffed shells on top. They will be very close together to help keep their shape. Pour remainder of sauce on top and cover with foil in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes and then take off the foil for about another 20- 30 minutes. It may look soupy while it is in the oven but it sets up nicely after you take it out…just make sure the cheese mixture is melted before you take out.
This recipe can go many different ways…stuff with veggies & cheese or don’t use meat or whatever else you like for your favorite sauce! I hope your family loves it like we do!
Enjoy!
Thank you Kat for letting me be a featured chef~!!