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Colorful plate of baked spinach and ricotta stuffed shells with golden melted cheese on top, garnished with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes, styled elegantly on a white plate with a rustic wooden background.

Healthy Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells Delight

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Creamy ricotta combined with sautéed spinach, baked inside tender pasta shells topped with melted cheese for a hearty and healthy meal.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

Scale
  • 20 large pasta shells
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 cup marinara sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook pasta shells in boiling salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, then add chopped spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat.
  3. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cooked spinach, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Mix well.
  4. Stuff each cooked shell with the ricotta mixture and place them in a baking dish.
  5. Pour marinara sauce over the shells and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
  6. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Notes

  • You can add a dash of red pepper flakes for extra spice.
  • Use fresh spinach for best flavor, but frozen works too—just thaw and drain excess water.
  • Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 shell with sauce
  • Calories: 350 kcal Kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 700 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 16 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg