DECADENT SPINACH-STUFFED SHELLS

Decadent Spinach-Stuffed Shells image

I created this comforting stuffed shells dish to serve on Christmas Eve, but it's so good we enjoy it all year long. It can easily be assembled and frozen to bake at a later date. If you have any leftover cheese mixture, it can be served as a dip, either cold or spooned into ramekins and baked until browned. If you don't like roasted red peppers, feel free to substitute chopped sun-dried tomatoes in the filling and any other pasta sauce. -Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, CO

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 package (12 ounces) jumbo pasta shells
1 jar (24 ounces) roasted red pepper and garlic pasta sauce, divided
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup roasted garlic Alfredo sauce
Dash salt
Dash pepper
Dash crushed red pepper flakes, optional
2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/2 cup finely chopped water-packed artichoke hearts
1/4 cup finely chopped roasted sweet red pepper
Additional Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta shells according to package directions for al dente. Drain., Spread 1 cup sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, Alfredo sauce and seasonings until blended. Stir in cheeses and vegetables. Spoon into shells. Arrange in prepared baking dish., Pour remaining sauce over top. Bake, covered, 20 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, 10-15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 389 calories, Fat 22g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 70mg cholesterol, Sodium 707mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 14g protein.