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Healthy cheese and veggie stuffed shells made ahead for an easy family freezer meal.

Red Pepper and Spinach Stuffed Shells

Healthy ricotta cheese and spinach stuffed into pasta shells make a quick and healthy family dinner.
4.15 from 7 votes
Prep Time :30 minutes
Cook Time :30 minutes
Total Time :1 hour
Servings :12
Calories :257
Course :Dinner

Ingredients

  • 12 ounce jumbo pasta shells about 24 shells
  • 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup frozen spinach thawed and dried
  • 1/3 cup roasted red peppers diced (from a jar)
  • 3 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease or spray with non-stick cooking spray a 9 x 13 baking pan.
  • Cook shells in large pot of boiling salted water for 9 minutes. Drain pasta.
  • In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, spinach, red peppers, parmesan cheese and parsley. Salt and pepper filling mix to taste.
  • Spread 1-1/2 cups marina sauce in bottom of prepared pan. Stuff each shell with 2 tablespoons of filling. Place filled shells on top of marinara sauce in pan. You may need to scrunch in the shells. Spread remaining marinara sauce over the top. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake on center shelf of oven for 35 - 40  minutes until the sauce is bubbling and cheese is melted. Let stand 10 - 15 minutes before cutting and serving.

MAKE AHEAD FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Prepare stuffed shells thru Step 4. DO NOT BAKE. Cover pan with aluminum foil, then wrap entire pan in plastic wrap or place in large freezer bag. Keeps in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking, or bake right from the freezer.
  • To Bake Thawed Stuffed Shells
  • Remove plastic wrap and foil cover. Place uncovered in preheated 375°F oven. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted. Check the center of pan to make sure stuffed shells are heated thru. Continue baking and checking every 5 minutes until center is hot.
  • To Bake Frozen Stuffed Shells
  • Remove plastic wrap but leave foil cover. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake covered for 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Remove foil cover and continue to bake for 20 to 30 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted. Check the center of pan to make sure stuffed shells are heated thru. Continue baking and checking every 5 minutes until center is hot.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts
Red Pepper and Spinach Stuffed Shells
Amount per Serving
Calories
257
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
10
g
15
%
Saturated Fat
 
6
g
38
%
Cholesterol
 
37
mg
12
%
Sodium
 
556
mg
24
%
Potassium
 
374
mg
11
%
Carbohydrates
 
27
g
9
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
14
g
28
%
Vitamin A
 
2157
IU
43
%
Vitamin C
 
7
mg
8
%
Calcium
 
225
mg
23
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

© Copyright Christine Mello for Must Love Home. We would love for you to share a link to this recipe but please do not copy/paste the recipe instructions to websites or social media. We are happy for you to share a photo with a link back to this website instead.