Description

Looking for a delicious and satisfying easy dinner idea? These Cheesy Ground Turkey & Spinach Stuffed Shells are the ultimate comfort food recipe with a healthy twist. Perfect for quick weeknight meals or make-ahead dinners, this dish features tender pasta shells filled with creamy ricotta, nutrient-rich spinach, and savory ground turkey. Baked in flavorful marinara and topped with melty cheese, it’s everything you want in a hearty dinner that the whole family will love. This is one of those easy recipes you’ll find yourself making again and again.

Ingredients

20 jumbo pasta shells

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound ground turkey

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 cups fresh spinach, wilted and chopped

1 egg, beaten

1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

3 cups marinara sauce

Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Boil the jumbo pasta shells until just al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside to cool.

2. In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and sauté diced onion and garlic until softened.

3. Add ground turkey to the skillet, season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until no longer pink. Set aside to cool.

4. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, chopped spinach, beaten egg, 3/4 cup mozzarella, and 1/4 cup Parmesan.

5. Stir in the cooked ground turkey mixture into the cheese filling.

6. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.

7. Fill each pasta shell with the turkey and cheese mixture and place them in the dish.

8. Pour remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells.

9. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

10. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.

11. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.

12. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Notes

Make sure to undercook the pasta shells slightly to prevent them from becoming mushy after baking.

Squeeze the cooked spinach well to remove excess moisture before mixing into the filling.

For extra flavor, add crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of nutmeg to the cheese mixture.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 420
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 620mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: stuffed shells, cheesy turkey shells, spinach pasta bake, healthy pasta dinner, meal prep pasta, easy pasta recipe, comfort food dinner