Best 4 Skinny Italian Stuffed Shells Recipes
Indulge in a culinary journey to Italy with our exquisite Skinny Italian Stuffed Shells, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This delightful dish features tender jumbo pasta shells generously filled with a delectable mixture of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses, seasoned with aromatic Italian herbs and spices. Bathed in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, these stuffed shells are then oven-baked to perfection, resulting in a golden-brown, crispy exterior and a soft, gooey interior that will leave you craving more. Accompanying this main course are two irresistible side dishes: a refreshing Caesar salad, bursting with crisp romaine lettuce, tangy Caesar dressing, and savory croutons, and a delightful garlic bread, featuring toasted baguette slices brushed with garlic butter and Parmesan cheese. This complete meal is a celebration of Italian cuisine, perfect for a romantic dinner, family gathering, or any special occasion.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
STUFFED SHELLS
Made with a cheesy ricotta filling, smothered in spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese, and then baked until gooey and browned, these Italian Stuffed Shells are the ultimate creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish.
Provided by Kristen Chidsey
Categories Main Course
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Once the water comes to a boil, heavily salt the water and add in the shells. Cook for 9 minutes, or 2 minutes less than the package directions state. Drain the pasta and allow it to cool slightly.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the filling by mixing together the ricotta egg, parmesan, garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and pepper in a medium mixing bowl.
- Spread a 2-quart baking dish with 1/2 cup of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of the pan.
- Once the shells are cool enough to handle, stuff each shell with the ricotta mixture, about 1/4 cup filling per shell. Remember to not overstuff the shells, so that the shells can somewhat close around the ricotta filling.
- Top the shells with the remaining spaghetti sauce and then cover with the mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 275 kcal, Carbohydrate 34 g, Protein 17 g, Fat 6 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 56 mg, Sodium 1106 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 8 g, ServingSize 1 serving
ITALIAN CHEESE-STUFFED SHELLS
From Galesville, Wisconsin, Patty Tappendorf notes, "I found this recipe in a church cookbook and thought it was a great twist on traditional lasagna. I omitted the meat, and it's just as yummy. Italian stewed tomatoes add robust flavor."
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h50m
Yield 7 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook onion and peppers over medium heat 2 minutes. Add mushrooms; cook 4-5 minutes until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer Stir in water, tomatoes, tomato paste and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 30 minutes. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, combine eggs, ricotta, 1/2 cup mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Stuff into shells. Spread 1 cup vegetable sauce in a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange shells over sauce; top with remaining sauce. , Cover and bake 45 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly and cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 351 calories, Fat 11g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 99mg cholesterol, Sodium 457mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
SKINNY SAUSAGE-STUFFED SHELLS
70% less sat fat • 59% less fat • 30% fewer calories than the original recipe. Shredded carrots are the secret good-for-you boost.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 1h20m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
- In 10-inch nonstick skillet, crumble sausage. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until no longer pink; drain.
- In medium bowl, stir ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the Italian cheese blend, the spinach and basil until well mixed. Stir in carrots and sausage.
- Spread about 1/2 cup of the pasta sauce over bottom of baking dish. Spoon about 3 tablespoonfuls sausage mixture into each pasta shell. Arrange shells, filled sides up, on sauce in baking dish. Pour remaining pasta sauce over stuffed shells. Spray 15-inch piece of foil with cooking spray; cover shells with foil.
- Bake 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining 1 cup Italian cheese blend. Bake uncovered 5 to 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 290, Carbohydrate 33 g, Cholesterol 40 mg, Fat 1/2, Fiber 2 g, Protein 19 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 720 mg, Sugar 7 g, TransFat 0 g
ITALIAN STUFFED SHELLS
A dear friend first brought over this stuffed shells recipe. Now I take it to other friends' homes and to potlucks, because it's always a big hit! -Beverly Austin, Fulton, Missouri
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h25m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat, crumbling beef, until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in water, tomato paste, bouillon and oregano. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. , Meanwhile, combine egg, cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Stuff shells with cheese mixture., Preheat oven to 350°. Arrange shells in a greased 13x9-in. or 3-qt. baking dish. Pour meat sauce over shells. Cover; bake 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes longer. Freeze option: After assembling, cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake as directed, adding remaining 1 cup mozzarella after 30-40 minutes and increasing time as necessary for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 430 calories, Fat 17g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 94mg cholesterol, Sodium 866mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 32g protein.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of ricotta and Parmesan cheeses in the filling.
- To make the shells easier to stuff, boil them for a few minutes before filling.
- If you don't have a baking dish that's large enough to fit all of the shells, you can bake them in batches.
- To prevent the shells from sticking together, toss them with a little olive oil before baking.
- Serve the shells immediately, or store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
Skinny Italian Stuffed Shells are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. They are also a great option for a potluck or party. With their creamy ricotta filling, savory meat sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese, these shells are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.
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