Make-Ahead Stuffed Shells with Cabot White Cheddar
Category
Entrees
Servings
Any new mom knows that time in the kitchen is a luxury that may only present itself at odd hours. Use this make-ahead version of Cabot’s famed Stuffed Shells to prepare a nourishing dinner whenever the time is right. These can be frozen up to 1 month in advance, thawed the night before in the refrigerator and baked according to the directions below.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fat free ricotta cheese
2 ounces Cabot Cream Cheese, softened
8 ounces Cabot Lite50 Sharp Cheddar, grated & divided (about 2 cups)
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 16 large fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ⅛  teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 16 large dried pasta shells
- 1 (26-ounce) jar low sodium marinara sauce
- Fresh basil leaves (garnish)
Directions
- PLACEÂ ricotta and cream cheese in a bowl and mash together. Stir in 1 cup shredded cheese, egg, chopped basil and garlic. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg; set aside.
- PREHEAT oven to 400°F.
- COOKÂ pasta In large pot of boiling water until al dente, or barely tender. Drain well, making sure to empty shells of any remaining water; set aside to cool briefly.
- SPREAD about ½ cup marinara sauce over bottom of large baking dish. Spoon ricotta mixture evenly into shells and arrange in dish. Pour remaining sauce over top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover dish, sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- REMOVEÂ from oven and garnish with fresh basil.
Recipe Tips
For best results or to make even healthier:
use reduced sodium marinara sauce
use whole wheat or multi-grain pasta
use fresh garlic and herbs instead of jarred or powdered
use Cabot No Fat Cottage Cheese insteads of ricotta to give it a different texture – use fat free cream cheese to reduce fat.
Nutrition
Nutrition
- per serving
- Calories
- 500
- Fat
- 17 grams
- 26%
- Saturated Fat
- 9 grams
- 45%
- Sodium
- 1360 milligrams
- 57%
- Cholesterol
- 100 milligrams
- 33%
- Carbs
- 57 grams
- 19%
- Fiber
- 6 grams
- 24%
- Protein
- 33 grams
- Calcium
- 535 milligrams
- 50%
Let’s get cooking
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