Scrumptious Stuffed Shells with cottage cheese are protein-packed, vegetarian, and the proper dinner for consolation meals lovers!
Stuffed Shells with Cottage Cheese
In case you’re looking for a comforting but nutritious dinner that checks all of the bins—excessive in protein, meat-free, and completely scrumptious—look no additional than jumbo Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells. This recipe is an ideal twist on the traditional ricotta-filled pasta dish, swapping in creamy cottage cheese for a high-protein, lighter possibility that also delivers on taste. I even snuck in some spinach, which works so nicely. If you’d like a high-protein lasagna, attempt my cottage cheese lasagna rolls or my high-protein meat lasagna recipe. They’re so good!
Why This Stuffed Shells Recipe Works
I used to show my nostril up when individuals instructed me they have been making Italian dishes with cottage cheese. However cottage cheese manufacturers have come a great distance! Manufacturers like Good Tradition or Nancy’s style so good that my daughter truly prefers it to ricotta.
- Protein Enhance: Because of cottage cheese, this dish is full of protein, making it satisfying and excellent for a meat-free dinner.
- Simple Prep: It’s easy to make, even on a weeknight. Stuffing the shells is usually a enjoyable exercise to do with youngsters.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether or not you’re serving choosy eaters or entertaining associates, these stuffed shells are positive to impress.
- Leftovers style nice the subsequent day, or you may freeze them for an additional day.
- Dietary Restrictions: Weight Watchers-friendly, vegetarian, gluten-free (if utilizing GF pasta), high-protein
In case you make this simple cottage cheese stuffed shells recipe, I’d like to see it. Tag me in your images or movies on Instagram, TikTok, or Fb!
Why Cottage Cheese?
Cottage cheese isn’t only a food plan pattern; it’s a powerhouse of protein, making it a wonderful alternative for vegetarian dishes. Its gentle taste pairs fantastically with Italian herbs, tangy marinara sauce, and the pure sweetness of pasta shells. Plus, its creamy texture mimics ricotta, making a dish that feels indulgent whereas being more healthy.
Are you able to substitute ricotta for cottage cheese in recipes?
Completely, it truly works fairly nicely on this recipe, I additionally did this in my lasagna recipe and cottage cheese lasagna roll ups, with nice opinions!
Components
These tacky stuffed shells use 3 various kinds of cheese, making a wealthy and creamy filling that’s excellent for a comforting dinner. See the recipe card for the precise measurements.
- Jumbo Pasta Shells are excellent for stuffing with cottage cheese and spinach.
- Spinach for additional vitamin C and fiber
- Cottage Cheese has extra protein and fewer fats than ricotta cheese.
- Parmesan Cheese for additional cheesiness and taste
- Pesto is a simple manner so as to add taste with only one ingredient. Purchase it on the retailer or observe my selfmade basil pesto recipe.
- Egg binds the stuffed shell filling so it doesn’t ooze out.
- Salt for seasoning
- Marinara: If you wish to make your personal, attempt my fast marinara recipe.
- Mozzarella: Prime every shell with mozzarella.
- Herbs: Garnish with contemporary basil or parsley.
The best way to Make Stuffed Shells
Right here’s the way to make these easy cottage cheese stuffed shells. The recipe card beneath incorporates the printable directions.
- Steam the Spinach in a big pot with just a little water. As soon as wilted, switch to a strainer, squeeze out the surplus water, and chop the spinach.
- Cook dinner the Pasta Shells in a big pot of salted, boiling water in response to bundle instructions. Drain and place on a plate or chopping board to forestall the noodles from sticking collectively.
- Cottage Cheese and Spinach Filling: Mix the cottage cheese, parmesan, pesto, egg, and salt. Combine within the spinach.
- Stuff the Shells: Spoon a cup of sauce on the underside of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Stuff every shell with the cheese combination and place within the dish, reduce aspect up. Ladle the remaining sauce over the shells and high with mozzarella.
- Bake: Cowl the dish foil and bake at 400°F for 40 minutes. Garnish with herbs and serve with additional crimson sauce if desired.
Stuffed Shells Variations
- Veggies: Change spinach with grated zucchini, squeezed nicely.
- Gluten-Free Choice: Use gluten-free pasta shells, similar to Tinkyada shells.
- Cheese: Swap cottage cheese for ricotta cheese (I like Polly-o), if desired. It’s also possible to swap Parmesan cheese with Pecorino Romano.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of crimson pepper flakes or some minced garlic to the filling for an additional kick.
- Meat Lovers: Change the marinara sauce with meat sauce.
Serving Suggestion
Serve these wholesome stuffed shells with roasted veggies or a easy inexperienced salad for a balanced meal. Wish to make it additional hearty? Pair them with garlic knots.
Storage
- Refrigerate leftovers for five days. To reheat, microwave till heat.
- Freeze your entire dish: Cowl the baking dish with plastic wrap, then foil and freeze for as much as 3 months. To bake, thaw it within the fridge in a single day and bake as directed.
Extra Baked Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
Yield: 5 servings
Serving Measurement: 4 shells
- 20 jumbo pasta shells, or use gluten-free pasta shells, similar to Tinkyada shells.
- 4 ounces contemporary child spinach, 2 packed cups chopped
- 16 ounces 2% cottage cheese, I like Good Tradition, drained 2 cups*
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons pesto, ready or selfmade
- 1 giant egg
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for the pasta water
- 2 ¼ cups marinara sauce, selfmade or jarred, plus extra for serving
- 1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Chopped contemporary basil or parsley, for serving
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Preheat the oven to 400°F.
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Place the spinach in a big pot with 3 tablespoons of water, cowl and let the spinach steam for 1 minute, stirring, till the spinach is wilted. Switch to a strainer and squeeze out the surplus water and chop the spinach.
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In a big pot of salted boiling water, cook dinner the pasta shells in response to bundle instructions, 9 to 10 minutes. Drain and hold them separate to forestall them from sticking collectively.
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In the meantime, whereas the noodles cook dinner, in a big bowl mix cottage cheese, Parmesan, pesto, egg and ½ teaspoon salt. Combine within the spinach and blend nicely.
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Ladle about 1 cup sauce on the underside of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Stuff every shell with about 2 tablespoons of the filling and place within the dish, reduce aspect up. Ladle the remaining sauce over the shells and high each with 1 tablespoon mozzarella cheese. Cowl with foil with out touching the cheese and bake for 40 minutes.
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Garnish with contemporary herbs and serve with extra marinara on the aspect, if desired.
Final Step:
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*In case you choose to make use of ricotta cheese, I like to recommend Polly-o. Merely swap it for a similar quantity.
Serving: 4 shells, Energy: 400 kcal, Carbohydrates: 43.5 g, Protein: 28 g, Fats: 13 g, Saturated Fats: 5.5 g, Ldl cholesterol: 68.5 mg, Sodium: 1019.5 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 8 g
