CHICKPEA-STUFFED SHELLS

Chickpea-Stuffed Shells image

"I never guessed my picky eaters would agree to try chickpeas, but they gobble them up when I disguise them this way," says Susan Brown from Saugerties, New York. "This chickpea recipe receives raves from my husband, young son and daughter and dinner guests, too. No one can guess my secret ingredient is nutritious legumes!"

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

18 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large egg whites
1 carton (15 ounces) reduced-fat ricotta cheese
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 small onion, quartered
1 garlic clove, minced
1 jar (28 ounces) meatless spaghetti sauce, divided
1-1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Steps:

Cook pasta shells according to package directions. Meanwhile, place the chickpeas and egg whites in a food processor; cover and process until smooth. Add the ricotta, parsley, Parmesan, onion and garlic; cover and process until well blended. Pour 1-1/4 cups of spaghetti sauce into an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish; set aside., Drain pasta shells; stuff with chickpea mixture. Place over sauce. Drizzle with remaining sauce. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 508 calories, Fat 19g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 42mg cholesterol, Sodium 1066mg sodium, Carbohydrate 58g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 8g fiber), Protein 27g protein.