Description
These high protein pesto stuffed shells are packed with savory turkey sausage, creamy cottage cheese, spinach, and pesto, all baked in marinara sauce with melted mozzarella. A comforting and protein-rich dinner perfect for feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
- 12 oz jumbo shells
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1 lb ground turkey sausage
- 16 oz cottage cheese, 4% milkfat
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese, divided
- 5 oz spinach, wilted, squeezed of excess water and chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley, plus extra for topping
- 1 cup fresh pesto, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flake
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F and spread 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish.
- Cook jumbo shells in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion for 3 to 4 minutes, then add turkey sausage and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it into small crumbles. Let cool for 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, spinach, parsley, 1/2 cup pesto, garlic, oregano, red pepper flake, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cooked turkey sausage mixture.
- Stuff each shell with about 1/4 cup of filling and place into the prepared casserole dish.
- Top shells with remaining 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce and spoon remaining 1/2 cup pesto over the top. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and remaining 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with extra parsley and let cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use full-fat cottage cheese for the creamiest filling.
- Frozen spinach can be substituted for fresh spinach; thaw and drain well before using.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- You can assemble the stuffed shells ahead of time and refrigerate before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 82 mg
