Vegetarian Stuffed Shells Recipes

STUFFED VEGETARIAN SHELLS

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, broccoli, mozzarella, egg whites and seasonings. Drain pasta and rinse in cold water., Spread half the spaghetti sauce into a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Stuff pasta shells with ricotta mixture; arrange over spaghetti sauce. Pour remaining sauce over pasta shells. , Cover and bake at 375° for 25 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake until heated through, about 5 minutes longer.,

VEGETARIAN SKILLET STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Cook shells in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, about 9 minutes; drain. Run under cold water to stop the cooking; drain again.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over high. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they release juices, then are dry again and nicely browned, 5-6 minutes; season with black pepper and 1 tsp. salt. Reduce heat to medium, add wine, and cook, stirring, until reduced by half, 1-2 minutes. Add spinach, cover, and cook until beginning to wilt, 1-2 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach is completely wilted and most of the liquid is evaporated, 2-4 minutes more. Transfer mushroom mixture to a large bowl; reserve skillet.
• Cook garlic and butter in reserved skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until garlic is fragrant and beginning to brown, 2-3 minutes. Add marinara sauce and red pepper and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, 6-8 minutes.
• While sauce cooks, add ricotta, 3 oz. Parmesan, 2 Tbsp. oregano, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt to mushroom mixture and stir to combine. Spoon about 2 Tbsp. ricotta mixture into each shell. The shell should be filled to capacity but not overstuffed.
• Nestle stuffed shells into hot sauce in skillet. Cover and cook over medium heat until shells are warmed through, 4-6 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan and remaining 1 Tbsp. oregano.

CHEESE- AND VEGETABLE-STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 11x7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta shells as directed on package.
• Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Cook onion, bell pepper and garlic in oil 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender. Add zucchini; cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in olives and 1/4 cup of the pasta sauce. Cook, stirring frequently, until hot. Remove from heat.
• In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese blend. Stir in zucchini mixture until well mixed.
• Fill each cooked pasta shell with about 2 tablespoons zucchini mixture. Place in baking dish. Pour remaining pasta sauce over shells.
• Cover with foil; bake 30 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Bake uncovered 5 to 10 minutes longer or until bubbly and cheese is melted.

ULTIMATE VEGETABLE STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Pasta -- Cook shells in boiling water until al dente according to directions. Don't over cook. Remove to a pan lined with parchment so they won't stick and just let them cool.
• Filling -- Now a food processor is what you need for this, and it will take a few times to use but you will see how easy it is. First - Add the cottage cheese and puree until smooth. Add to a large bowl.
• Second - Add red pepper and pulse a couple of times until fine minced, NOT a puree, just minced. Then add to the bowl with the cottage cheese.
• Third - Add the mushrooms and again, just pulse a couple of times until minced. Again add to the cottage cheese bowl.
• Fourth - Add the spinach, same thing, don't make it a puree, just well minced. Then add to the bowl.
• Fifth - Add the shredded zucchini, shallots and chopped olives.
• NOTE: I shred the zucchini and then lay on a paper towel with just a sprinkle of salt to let it drain so it is not too wet or watery. It really helps.
• Six - Add seasonings, bread crumbs and cheeses to the vegetable and cottage cheese mix and blend.
• Shells -- Stuff your shells. Don't worry, over stuff and fill them good.
• Casserole time -- Add about 1/2-3/4 cup sauce to the bottom of a 9x13 pan (sprayed with pam) to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the shells, it should be just the right amount to fill in the pan. Spoon the extra sauce over the top, be sure to get a little of sauce on each shell. Then top with the remaining mozzarella, a little on each shell.
• NOTE: Make sure that the shells fill up the pan you don't want them rolling around in the pan. You want a tight fit or where they are all snug. You can always use a smaller pan if necessary, but for me a 13x9 usually works out well.
• Bake -- 375 for about 40 minutes (note, I have made this in a couple of different ovens and one time it was bubbly and hot in 30 minutes, so just check after 30 minutes to be safe. It really has to do with you oven temperature, but I have found 375 seems to work best). I covered for 30 minutes and then uncovered for the last minutes of cooking time to get the cheese bubbly.
• Enjoy! Trust me, even meat lovers will love these.