You know what I love, food!
More importantly, if I can have great food that tastes delicious and isn't going to put me over my maximum calorie intake for the day, I am even happier!
That is this veggie stuffed shells dish! They are loaded with flavor and you guessed it, veggies!! This is a great combination of fresh zucchini, spinach, and carrots. The veggies are diced and lightly sautéed and then added into the low-fat cheese combination. Oh my gosh, I am getting hungry just thinking about this one! The veggie cheese filling is so good and even my non-veggie family members have no idea they are eating vegetables! SSSHHH, I won't tell, if you won't tell, and they will never know!
Everyday tip: This is a great dish to make as a double batch because both the veggie stuffed shells and the marinara sauce freeze really well. So we have a stuffed shells dish for dinner and another in the freezer ready for one of those many crazy days when we don't have time to make dinner!
I literally could live on cheese, of any variety, but there is something wonderful about ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan! I know you are thinking, holy fattening, but my motto always is, everything in moderation! I use low-fat ricotta cheese and mozzarella, so we are still eating a delicious and tasty meal but reducing fat and calories by using the low-fat cheeses! Then adding in parmesan cheese and the veggies, which really round out the dish and makes this a yummo meal! I find one veggie stuffed shell and a salad will fill me up, and I am content and ready for a nap when I am finished :)! My family, a different story, my boys can eat at least 3 each!
I hope you like this recipe, and if so, please share the love on Facebook, Pinterest, or your favorite way of relating to your friends and family, and please continue connecting with me on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Bloglovin, Google Plus !
Thank you for always sharing my passion and love for food and family!
xo!
Veggie Stuffed Shells
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients
Stuffed Veggie Shells
- 28 oz marinara sauce see below
- ½ box jumbo pasta shells about 24 shells
- 1 Tbls olive oil
- 1 small minced shallot
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 large zucchini, diced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 15 oz low-fat ricotta cheese
- 8 oz low-fat grated mozzarella cheese,divided
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
Marinara Sauce
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 small onion,diced
- 2 cloves finely minced garlic
- 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon ground fennel seed
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ cup fresh basil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Veggie Stuffed Shells
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Cook the pasta shells according to package. I generally deduct 3 minutes from cook time, because the shells cook further in the oven.
- While pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a pan over medium heat, add the shallots for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, add in garlic for a few seconds.
- Add the diced zucchini and carrot, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes.
- Add the spinach and cook down for about a minute. Set the veggie mixture aside to cool while preparing the cheese mixture.
- In a bowl, combine the ricotta, 4 oz. grated mozzarella, parmesan cheese, egg, dried parsley, salt and pepper to taste. Add in the veggie mix, combine well.
- To assemble, in a 9x12 casserole dish, spread ½ the marinara sauce in bottom of casserole dish.
- Spoon the cheese mixture into each shell and place open side up in the casserole dish.
- Cover shells with remaining Marinara Sauce. Sprinkle the remaining 4 oz. of grated mozzarella cheese over the shells.
- Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Sauce should be bubbling and cheese all melted. Serve immediately.
Marinara Sauce
- Heat the oil in a saucepan, over medium heat. Add the diced onion and stir occasionally for about 2 minutes, add the minced garlic. Stir together until garlic is golden, careful not to burn garlic. Only a few seconds is necessary.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried parsley, ground fennel seed, bay leaf, fresh chopped basil, and salt and pepper. Let simmer for about 35 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Use for Veggie Stuffed Shells.
Tanisha @ ThriftyNYmom
Oh I'm definitely pinning this for later! This would be a perfect way to sneak those veggies in my son's diet, and the cheese OMG! I LOVE cheese so I know I would love this meal! Thanks for sharing!!!! 🙂
Eileen xo
You are very welcome! I hope you and your family enjoy!
Alysha Heatherly
I think I am going to have to make this for my next girls night!
Nikki
You had me at stuffed. I'm seriously obsessed with all things cheese. So putting cheese inside, ontop and around pasta = MY FAVORITE MEAL EVER.
Eileen xo
Thank you Nikki! I ope you enjoy
Shannon Peterson
My husband loves meat but I bet he would love this more! Yum!
Elizabeth Edgar
Oh my! How delicious!! A smart way to get some veggies in!
Mel
My husband is a vegetarian and i am going to try this for sure 🙂
lexie
This looks utterly delicious! And now i'm ready to eat lol
Eileen xo
Thank you, I hope you give these a whirl!They are quite delicious!
Pam / Hey, Miss Adventures!
I'm super picky with what I eat (yes!!!) but from the looks of it, I think I'll love this one. Now I'm starving -- and it's just past midnight here. Argggh.
Eileen xo
Thank you Pam! I hope you give these a try, yummy!
Elizabeth
Sounds yummy and great way to get some veggies in.
Fareeha
Wow, this is just so awesomely delicious. I could grab it right of the screen and eat it
Eileen xo
Thank you very much!
Brittany
This looks delicious and I love that its packed with veggies! Thanks for the new recipe to try!
Brittany
http://www.BeckyandBrittany.com
Yona Williams
I think this dish looks delicious. I would love to make it since I am a fan of veggies. I don't know why I haven't added vegetables more to my pasta dishes.
Eileen xo
I do hope you enjoy and let me know how you enjoyed!
Miriam
These look delicious. I love all the ingredients and I'm sure they are even better combined.
Eileen xo
Thank you Miriam, I love it too!
Michelle Amsler
OMG - I've got to make these for my kids. They need more veggies in their lives.
Eileen xo
I hope your kids enjoy this meal, Michelle! We love it and the kids forget there is even veggies inside
COURTNEY HOWELL
My mouth is watering! I literally add this to the dinner menu for next week.
Eileen xo
I am so glad, I hope your family enjoys! Let me know how it goes!
Shannon
This looks delish! I will have to try this for my family. My kids would like this too!
Iman Brooks
If I knew how to get my son to eat this I would make it. Looks good!
Eileen xo
Don't tell him there are veggies inside 🙂
Karin Rambo
These look delicious! I love all the added vegetables!
Eileen xo
Thank you so much - the veggies are my favorite addition!
Caroline
These look yummy
Eileen xo
Thank you so much
Life as a Convert
These look good. I pinned it so I can save it and make it later.
Eileen xo
Great, I hope you enjoy!
Jam Jar Gill
These look delicious. Going to save them to my pinterest meatless monday board - thanks for sharing 🙂
Eileen xo
Great, I hope you ejoy making these stuffed shells. let me know how they turn out for your meatless monday
Trish @Almost Sexy Mommy
These look incredible! I love all things pasta <3
Eileen xo
Yes, me too!
Ria C
YUm! Yum! Yummy!!! I love anything pasta and this one sure looks very delicious!
Eileen xo
Thank you - it really is tasty
rika
This recipe looks delicious. I love pasta and I love veggies.. My kids and husband will enjoy this recipe too
Eileen xo
I hope your family enjoys!
Earle Hatsumy
Oh my, this looks so tempting! I love your site.
Eileen xo
Thank you so very much! These are really good 🙂
MyTeenGuide
That looks divine! I love that veggies were used for stuffing. I will try this.
Stephanie Pass
This looks like a great meal! My kids love stuffed shells.
Eileen xo
Thank you - I hope you enjoy!
Ourfamilyworld
That looks absolutely delicious. I can't wait to try this.
Eileen xo
I hope you enjoy, they are tasty. Let me know how you liked the recipe
Tammy Greene
Thank you for a great vegetarian dish. My daughter will love this!
Eileen xo
Thank you Tammy, I hope your daughter enjoys!
Shaylee @ Data Nerds
I think I'm going to request my fiance to make these for me this weekend! (he's a better cook than me haha)
Eileen xo
Well good for you to have someone prepare this for you 🙂
Bonnie @ Living a Fit and Full Life
These look amazing! I need them for dinner!
Eileen xo
I hope you make them, they are truly yummy!
Liz Mays
I've always done spinach, but I like the idea of using other veggies. I'll have to try this!
Eileen xo
I love spinach too - but this is a nice change
Clarissa
This recipe looks so yummy!
[email protected]
OMG that looks delicious. I love almost anything with ricotta cheese.
Nora Spaulding
These look so goood!!! I'm dying to try them, I might make them as a surprise for my husband, he's picky but something tells me with the sauce and cheese, he might just LOVE these! 🙂 Saved on pinterest! added you there too, thanks for sharing!
Eileen xo
Thank you Nora, I hope you try them and your husband gives them a thumbs up :)!
JanetGoingCrazy
This looks like a great meal that my family would love. I might have to try it this weekend!
Eileen xo
I hope you give it a try!
alexandria waning
you are killin me with this. pasta is my weakness. this looks amazing!!!
Eileen xo
This i tasty but also low in calories and fat - so enjoy a shell:)!
Claudette
Those look really, really good! Adding! 🙂
Eileen xo
Thank you Claudette, I hope you enjoy
Lexie
I love stuffed shells! One of my fav meals! 🙂 I'll have to give this one a go! LifeAsLex
Eileen xo
I hope you enjoy!
Kiersten Millican
I'm sharing this with my mom! She loves veggie recipes 🙂
Eileen xo
I hope you and your Mom enjoy, remember they are low-fat too!
Tina
These stuffed shells sound really good! I love that they have sauteed veggies in them Yum! I am going to feature them on our kid- friendly meal plan this week. A great way to get some more veggies in the kids without them seeing all veggies.
Eileen xo
I am glad you will be sharing this on your meal plan. Any way to keep the veggies in our diets and the calories low - I am happy!
Rachel Mouton
Yum-O! I keep saying I'm going to make stuffed shells, but I just never get around to it...
Eileen xo
This is a g=really tasty stuffed shell dish and easy to prepare
victoria
Looks delicious! i can't wait to try this and i want this for Christmas eve.
laura londergan
this looks amazing & is making me hungry again! 😉
Eileen xo
Thank you Laura, I hope you make it!
Babita
This one looks so good that I am tempted to make it right now. Instead I am saving this recipe. I know my kids are going to love it.
Eileen xo
That is great- let me know how you liked these! I love the veggie cheese combo
Elizabeth O.
I would love to try this recipe. I love baked pasta and a new recipe is always, always welcome!
Eileen xo
Great, I hope you try these!
Roxanne
Oh my those look delish! My husband would LOVE these!
Eileen xo
Thank you Roxanne!
Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories
My boys love spinach and ricotta stuffed shells. I like how you've snuck some more veggies in these. Pinned to try out this recipe. Thanks!
Eileen xo
Thank you Tanya - I know - sneaking in those veggies any way we can!
angie
I love new vegetable recipes
tara pittman
That looks so yummy. I love making pasta dishes.
Heidi Spears-Gray
We love stuffed shells! This recipe looks fantastic! I'll have to give it a try!
Eileen xo
I hope you do - and enjoy!
Brandy M.
Stuffed shells are so yummy! I love all those veggies you have managed to get into yours. My family usually enjoys them with hamburger and olives but I think I could try for a few more veggies in them.
Eileen xo
That is great - I hope they enjoy it, and you can be flexible with your veggies!
Erin
Yum yum! Those look amazing! Im definitely going to be trying this out!
Eileen xo
I hope you make this one and enjoy, we love these stuffed shells
michelle
i love veggie recipes
Tina
This looks amazing! I'm going to see if I can print the recipe and add it to my recipe book. Looks great for winter (and yes,k we have winter in the desert). I love the idea of making a double batch!
Eileen xo
I hope you print it, make ot, and let me know how you liked it !
Maggie
That looks so yummy! A perfect comfort food for the Fall/Winter season!
Eileen xo
Yup, this one really warms me up!
Michelle Gwynn Jones
I love making stuffed shells. And people are always so impressed - as if you've been slaving away all day.
Eileen xo
I know, don't tell them our secret ! 🙂
Cynthia @craftoflaughter
Oh I am pinning this! I love stuffed shells
Eileen xo
That is great Cynthia, I hope you let me know when you make them. Tjhey are one of my favorites
Ana De- Jesus
What a great recipe idea love the sound of that particularly since I am a vegetarian.
Eileen xo
I hope you enjoy it- its really delicous
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
Those sound so yum! I can't wait to make these.
Eileen xo
We love it!