STUFFED PASTA SHELLS SURPRISE

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Stuffed Pasta Shells Surprise image

This is two very different stuffed shell recipes made from one basic recipe. I use leftover meat from the week to make this recipe. They can be a meal or an appetizer. It adds variety to a meal and can also be made meatless by adding water chestnuts or other vegetables. Serve with Caesar salad and a loaf of hot crusty garlic bread or sticks for dunking.

Provided by Suz

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pork     Ham

Time 1h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 17

24 jumbo pasta shells
¼ pound ground beef
cooking spray
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 tablespoon prepared pesto
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 (24 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ pound finely chopped cooked ham
1 (6 ounce) can crabmeat
1 (15 ounce) jar Alfredo sauce
¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the shell pasta, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 13 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in the ground beef. Cook and stir until the beef is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease.
  • Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray 2 9x13-inch baking dishes with cooking spray. Combine the 2 cups mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, spinach, and pesto together in a bowl.
  • Stir half of the cheese-spinach mixture into the cooked beef. Season with garlic powder. Spread about 1 cup spaghetti sauce into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Stuff 12 pasta shells with the beef and cheese mixture, then arrange in the baking dish. Top with the remaining spaghetti sauce, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
  • Mix the remaining spinach-cheese mixture with ham and crab. Stuff the last 12 pasta shells with the ham mixture, and arrange in another 9x13-inch baking dish sprayed with nonstick spray. Pour the alfredo sauce on top, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake both casseroles in the preheated oven until the cheese melts and the sauce is bubbly, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 631 calories, Carbohydrate 41.2 g, Cholesterol 105 mg, Fat 35.8 g, Fiber 4.2 g, Protein 36.3 g, SaturatedFat 16.1 g, Sodium 1562.7 mg, Sugar 10.8 g

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