Best Stuffed Shells Florentine Low Fat Recipes

STUFFED SHELLS FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Cook Shells in boiling salted water according to package directions.
• Cook spinach according to package.
• After cooking spinach squeeze to drain excess water. Chill.
• Blend Cheeses, egg, spinach and black pepper together well.
• Warm Marinara sauce.
• Pour 2 C sauce in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan, reserve remaining sauce.
• Using a teaspoon fill shells, place in pan in single layer.
• Cover and bake 20 to 25 minutes at 350°F.
• Serve with remaining sauce.

THE BEST STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• For the marinara sauce: Heat the oil in a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, if using, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic has softened but not browned, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat, add the basil and dried oregano, partially cover and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened, about 45 minutes.
• Remove the basil sprig. If the sauce is still too chunky, mash the larger chunks of tomato with a potato masher. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool.
• For the shells and filling: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the dried pasta shells cook, stirring occasionally, until softened slightly but not cooked. (The pasta shells should flexible enough to be filled but remain very al dente; they will continue to cook during baking.) Drain, then run under cold water to stop cooking. Drain well again.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Mix together the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, parsley and egg in a large bowl until well combined and uniform. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Transfer the filling to a large disposable pastry bag or large resealable plastic bag (or use a spoon for filling directly from the bowl).
• Spread 2 1/2 cups of the marinara sauce in a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Snip off the end of the pastry bag and squeeze the filling into the shells one at a time. Arrange the shells open-side up in a tight single layer in the baking dish as you fill them. Top with the remaining marinara sauce. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake the shells until the sauce is bubbling throughout and the filling is heated through, about 35 minutes.
• Remove the foil from the pan and continue to bake for 10 more minutes to reduce the sauce. Let cool slightly before serving. Top with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

LOW FAT STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• In large saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Add jumbo shells, 3 or 4 at a time, until all are in the pot. Boil, uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain and cool on waxed paper or parchment paper, keeping them separated so they don't stick together. While shells are cooking, mix together ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, egg whites, parsley, oregano, green onion, salt and pepper. Fill each shell with about 3 tablespoons of cheese mixture. Spread a thin layer of spaghetti sauce on bottom of glass casserole dish. Place shells, open side down, in dish and cover with remaining sauce. Cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Place shells, open end down, onto plate and garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

FLORENTINE STUFFED SHELLS CARBONARA

Steps:

• Cook pasta in 4 quarts boiling salted water about 8 minutes, until tender, but firm. Drain well and cool slightly.
• Cut bacon into 1/2 inch pieces and saute until fat has rendered, about 5 minutes.
• Add the onion and saute until bacon is crispy and onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add half and half and stir continuously for about 2 minutes.
• Add parmesan and stir continuously for about 2 minutes. Season with pepper and nutmeg.
• In a large bowl put spinach, ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and combine.
• Lightly stuff shells with spinach mixture.
• Spoon 1/4 cup of sauce in 7x11 inch baking dish. Arrange filled shells in dish. Spoon on remaining sauce.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until heated through and bubbling. Garnish if desired. Serve.

SIMPLY DELICIOUSIOSO STUFFED SHELLS FLORENTINE WITH SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Heat olive oil in a wide saute pan over medium-high flame. Add crumbled sausage and cook until no longer pink. Remove sausage from oil with a slotted spoon (reserve pan drippings), drain on paper towels, keep warm.
• In the sausage pan drippings, cook the onion until tender (3 to 4 minutes); add the garlic and cook until it "dances" ( additional minute or so). Drain and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. If desired, season with salt and cook shells according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Pour marinara sauce into a large saucepan; heat through.
• Spoon 1 cup of the marinara into the bottom of a large roasting pan. Reserve remaining marinara and keep warm.
• Cook spinach per package directions; drain well and squeeze dry. Mix with ricotta cheese, mozzarella, eggs, salt, Italian seasonings, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese in a large mixing bowl. Add cooked sausage, onions and garlic; give a good stir.
• Using a teaspoon, fill each shell with the mixture (DO NOT OVERSTUFF).
• If desired, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes over the top of each shell. Transfer shells to the prepared roasting pan; arranging them in a single layer.
• Cover with foil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese is heated through.
• Let the shells rest for five (5) minutes before serving. Serve with reserved marinara, warm crusty Italian bread and a freshly tossed spinach & vinegarette salad. Simply deliciousioso!