Vegetarian Stuffed Spinach Shells

Name: Vegetarian Stuffed Spinach Shells
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 serving(s)
Ingredients: 16 ounces pasta shells; 1 -2 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup finely chopped* soy protein; 24 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry; 15 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese; 3 cups shredded parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 cup parsley; 1 tablespoon butter; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1/2 cup half-and-half; 1/2 cup milk

Submitted by HealthNutz

"These lovely shells have a great presentation for dinner parties. I use a sausage/ham-like meat substitute in the filling, and meat lovers rarely notice the difference! If you'd like, you can substitute real ham, sausage, prosciutto, or pancetta. Note: I use a oil substitute for the butter like Smart Balance."

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Ready In:: 55mins
Ingredients:: 12
Serves:: 6

ingredients

16 ounces pasta shells
1 -2 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup finely chopped* soy protein
24 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
15 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese
3 cups shredded parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon black pepper
¹⁄₄ cup parsley
1 tablespoon butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
¹⁄₂ cup half-and-half
¹⁄₂ cup milk

directions

Sauce: Saute garlic in butter. Add 1/2 C half-and-half, and 1/2 C milk (do not use skim/nonfat) and simmer. Add 2 C parmesan, parsley, season to taste. Turn heat down to low. Stir until combined.
Preheat oven 375°F Prepare a lightly buttered baking dish.
Boil the shells about 8-10 minutes.
Stuffing: Saute meat substitute in olive oil about 5 minutes. Remove from pan. Add spinach (squeezed dry of liquid), ricotta, 1 C parmesan, pepper to cooked meat substitute.
Stuff shells with spinach mixture, and place in baking dish.
Pour cream sauce over top of shells. Top with parmesan cheese, and bake about 25 minutes until golden.