Shells with Cheese and Spinach is a great way to eat frozen spinach. I am not a fan of spinach dishes that are overwhelmed with the flavor of spinach. This dish has the perfect amount of spinach, cheese, and mushrooms per serving.
When you have extra time and the weather is cold it is sometimes comforting to spend some extra time in the kitchen. This recipe is worth the time and effort. I originally found this recipe in my Taste of Home Healthy Cooking 2017 Annual Recipes Cookbook.
If I cannot find large shell pasta then I will either use manicotti or medium shells.
- Manicotti substitute works the best to get a similar result. I cook the manicotti and use a knife to cut them in half so they are about the size of a large shell. Next I cut them length wise because it is easier to stuff and then fold back up.
- If I am using medium shells then I forgo the stuffing process and do 1 layer of sauce, 1/2 the noodles, all of the filling, the rest of the noodles and top with the remaining sauce.
Cost Per Serving $1.87 as of April 2022
If you have zero ingredients then this recipe will cost about $22.38.
If you have a fully stocked pantry this dish will cost about $18.80.
- Cost per serving reduces to $1.57.
I am assuming you have salt and pepper and do not add it into the recipe total cost.
Stove Top & Oven
Recipe serves: 12
Equipment needed: 1 pot for pasta, 1 sauté pan and 1 baking dish 13×9 inch.
Total time: 90 minutes
Equipment
Let's grocery shop!
I am assuming you have salt and pepper. It is not included in pantry and spices. If you have a stocked pantry you will save about $3.58.
Pantry & Spices
Total: $3.58 as of April 2022
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1 pound butter $3.58
Grocery
Total: $18.80 as of April 2022
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1 container of mushroom 8 oz $1.98
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1 bulb garlic $0.48
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1 onion $0.62
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1 bunch fresh basil $1.98
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1 can sliced ripe olives 3.8 oz $1.52
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1 box jumbo pasta shells $1.68
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1 jar marinara sauce 24 oz $1.88
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1 container of eggs 1/2 dozen $1.58
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1 tub ricotta cheese 15 oz $2.12
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1 bag shredded italian cheese blend $1.98
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1 bag shredded mozzarella cheese $1.98
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1 package frozen chopped spinach 12 oz $1.00
Let's prep!
1 package jumbo pasta |
1 tablespoon butter |
1 cup sliced mushrooms |
1 small onion, finely chopped |
4 garlic cloves |
2 large eggs |
1 carton ricotta cheese 15 oz |
1 package frozen chopped spinach 10 oz |
2 tablespoons fresh basil |
¼ teaspoon pepper |
1 small can chopped ripe olives |
1.5 cups shredded Italian cheese blend |
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese |
1 jar marinara sauce 24 oz |
- Gather all of the ingredients and measuring tools
- Slice 1 cup of mushrooms then place them in a med bowl
- I like a lot of mushrooms so I use the entire 8 oz package
- Finely chop 1 small onion (1/2 cup) then place them in with the mushrooms
- I like a lot of onion so I use 1 medium onion (1 cup)
- Mince 4 garlic cloves and place them in a small prep bowl.
- In a large bowl beat 2 eggs then add:
- 1 carton of ricotta cheese
- 10 oz of thawed chopped spinach
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 small can of drained ripe olives
- 3/4 italian cheese blend
- 3/4 mozzarella cheese blend
- Stir to combine
Let's cook!
- Complete prep from prep tab above.
Put on a pot of water to boil for pasta. Cook 24 shells to al dente.
- Preheat oven to 375°
- Melt butter in a small sauté pan on medium heat then add:
- mushrooms
- onions
- a sprinkle of salt and pepper
- Cook until onions are soft then add garlic for 1 minute.
- Remove sauté pan from the heat and let cool
- Drain pasta, do not rinse let cool.
- Spray baking dish with cooking spray then open marinara sauce and spread 1.5 cups of sauce around the bottom of the pan
- Mix the mushroom mixture in with the cheese.
- Fill pasta shells with cheese mixture and place along the bottom of the pan. Smoosh them together if needed.
- Cover the shells with the remaining sauce. The dish will be full.
- Bake covered for 40 -45 minutes.
- Uncover and spread with 3/4 cup italian mixed cheese and 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese then bake for additional 5 minutes
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes. While dish is resting chop additional basil to taste to spread over the dish. Enjoy!
This recipe can also be found in Weekly Dinners for 4 under $100 – Menu 4
