143.6…Spinach Stuffed Shells with Meat Sauce

I loved stuffed pastas. Well, let’s get real….I love anything stuffed. I especially loved last night’s dinner of stuffed shells. The meat sauce is actually ground turkey so it’s a bit healthier. It was comforting, satisfying and healthy all at the same time. Winner!

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I served the shells with a big salad:

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Spinach Stuffed Shells with Meat Sauce (Servings: 10-11; Serving size: 3 shells)

Original Recipe

  • 25 Jumbo Shells (I used Barilla)-original recipe says to use whole box but there were too many shells and not enough filling for me
  • 1/2 white large onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 lb 99% lean ground turkey
  • 32 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp basil
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 cups part skim ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups 2% milk reduced fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 egg
  • 10 oz package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Reggiano

Boil water and cook shells according to package directions, make sure to make them al dente.
Meanwhile, sauté onions and garlic in oil. Add turkey and salt and brown until cooked, breaking up in small pieces. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and basil, then simmer on low, covered.
Preheat oven to 375°.
In a large bowl, mix together ricotta, egg, spinach, half the mozzarella, and parmesan.
Once shells are cooked and cool, fill shells with the cheese mixture and place in baking dish with a little sauce in the bottom. Cover shells with the sauce and the rest of the cheese, cover with foil and bake 40 minutes, uncover foil and bake 5 more minutes.

Enjoy! I know I did!! This makes a ton so I froze what was left to have at a later date.

After dinner I satisfied my sweet tooth with a small Rice Krispies treat. I really make the best ones. :)

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Breakfast this morning was a cereal mish-mash of Kellogg’s Fiber Plus and Fiber One Honey Squares cereals with almond milk. Holy fiber overload! :) I had a bowl of strawberries also.

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I took the kids to school and went to Cardio Muscle class. Then it was errands time. You know the drill….post office, gas, grocery store, etc. I did stop at Subway for a turkey sandwich for lunch.

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The guy making my sandwich was either new or very into being a “sandwich artist” because he really took his time getting all the veggies placed just right.

I spent some time at home on the phone with Mac trying to get some questions answered on my new Mac. I’m liking it so far but there’s so many things I still need to figure out!

On the way to pick up the kids, I grabbed a Kashi bar to snack on.

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Now I’m home and I’m starving. I really just want to break into a bottle of wine and a whole bunch of bad-for-me snacks. Talk me down from the ledge!!

If you blog from a Mac, what program do you use?

What are your plans for the Labor Day weekend?

Comments

  1. I use Firefox. I've had my Mac for about 3 years and I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am probably too late to talk you down from the ledge....but just say no! I also had to talk myself down earlier...Fri night, felt like I deserved something yum! wine, pizza? fro yo? but not happening. I had a quick bowl of leftover chili and one small oatmeal cookie my mom made :) maybe tomorrow I will have more of a treat. According to lose it I have some calories left, but I dont want to use them tonight...may need them this weekend and I don't feel hungry at this point, anyway! I also always figure my numbers could be off by 10%...maybe not on all, but things where you make them - I am likely not accurate!

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  3. @Andrea
    Thanks Andrea! I actually was able to talk myself down pretty much. :) I, too, am trying to save my calories for dinner at a friend's house tonight. Good job on your tracking!

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  4. Stuffed shells is one of my favorite meals, love that you made it with ground turkey!

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