Healthy Stuffed Shells with Ground Turkey and Spinach Recipe
Healthy Stuffed Shells with Ground Turkey and Spinach is a flavorful and protein-packed Italian-inspired dish featuring jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a savory mixture of ground turkey, beef, ricotta, spinach, and cheeses. Baked in rich marinara sauce and topped with fresh mozzarella, this comforting meal is perfect for family dinners and can be made ahead and frozen for convenience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz jumbo shells
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 10 oz frozen spinach
Cheeses and Seasoning
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 9 oz Parmesan Romano cheese blend
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce and Toppings
- 48 oz marinara sauce
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil jumbo shells according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, covering with a wet paper towel to prevent them from drying out.
- Brown the Meat and Onion: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey and ground beef together with the diced onion until no pink remains. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish lean.
- Prepare the Spinach: Thaw frozen spinach by rinsing under warm water in a colander. Press firmly to remove as much excess water as possible to avoid watery filling.
- Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the browned meat and onion mixture, Parmesan Romano cheese blend, ricotta cheese, pressed spinach, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to form a cohesive stuffing mixture.
- Stuff the Shells: Gently fill each cooked jumbo shell with the meat and cheese mixture. Arrange the stuffed shells in a large baking dish or divide between two smaller pans if you wish to freeze one portion for later.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour marinara sauce evenly over the filled shells. Top the shells with slices of fresh mozzarella cheese to create a melty, golden topping during baking.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the assembled shells for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden, and the sauce is hot and bubbling in the center.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy this hearty, healthy, and delicious stuffed shells dish!
Notes
- Pressing the spinach well is crucial to avoid soggy filling and watery sauce.
- You can substitute ground beef with all turkey or another lean meat for a lighter version.
- Freezing one baking pan before baking is a convenient meal prep option.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan Romano blend for best flavor.
- If fresh mozzarella is unavailable, use shredded mozzarella but expect slightly different texture.
Keywords: stuffed shells, ground turkey, spinach, ricotta cheese, Italian recipe, baked pasta, healthy dinner, marinara sauce
