Go Back Email Link
–+ servings
Stuffed Pasta Shells with Ground Turkey and Spinach

Stuffed Pasta Shells with Ground Turkey and Spinach

There’s something about oven-baked pasta that brings a sense of calm, warmth, and satisfaction. When you’re looking for a dish that checks all the boxes—comfort food, rich flavor, balanced nutrition, and ease of preparation—stuffed pasta shells with ground turkey and spinach are the perfect choice.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Main Course, pasta
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 Servings

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 27 jumbo pasta shells about 9 ounces
  • 1 cup onion finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves chopped
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1- pound lean ground turkey 99% or 93%
  • 32 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese or cottage cheese for more protein
  • 8 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 large egg
  • 16 ounces frozen spinach thawed and well-drained
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

Prepare the Pasta Shells:

  • Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and set aside to cool slightly.

Make the Meat Sauce:

  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and garlic and sauté until softened and fragrant. Add the ground turkey and a pinch of salt, and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
  • Once the turkey is browned, stir in the crushed tomatoes, basil, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Prepare the Cheese Filling:

  • In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta (or cottage cheese), egg, thawed and drained spinach, shredded mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until well combined.

Assemble the Stuffed Shells:

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Take the cooked and cooled pasta shells and fill each one with approximately 2 heaping tablespoons of the cheese mixture. Place the stuffed shells in a large baking dish (or two smaller dishes), arranging them in a single layer. Spread a small amount of the meat sauce on the bottom of the dish before placing the shells to prevent sticking.

Bake the Dish:

  • Top the stuffed shells with half of the remaining sauce. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes to lightly brown the top.

Serve:

  • Once baked, serve the stuffed shells with the remaining sauce spooned on top. Garnish with additional fresh basil if desired.
Keyword #northeastnosh #stuffedshells #groundturkey #spinach #pastashells #comfortfood #hiddenveggies #familydinner #food #foodie
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!