Yummy Stuffed Shells with Cheese & Spinach

I’ve got a new recipe for you all to try! It’s simply delicious. It’s posted here and also under the recipes tab. Enjoy!!

INGREDIENTS

• 18 jumbo pasta shells (about 6 ounces)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons  olive oil
• 1/4 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 ounces  fresh chorizo, crumbled
• 1 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 3/4 teaspoon  sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon  salt plus additional for seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper plus additional for seasoning
• Olive oil cooking spray
• 2 cups baby spinach, finely chopped
• 1cup low-fat ricotta or cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• *optional* 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

 

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook shells according to package directions; rinse under cold water, drain and pat dry.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and chorizo and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain all but 1 1/2 teaspoons drippings and return pan to stove. Add tomatoes and sugar and season with salt and pepper to taste; simmer until sauce is slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Set aside. **Note, you can also add a little balsamic vinegar if you’d like! It gives the sauce a little extra somethin-somethin.
3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and coat a 9-by-9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
4. Combine spinach, cheeses, egg white and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl.
5. Spoon half the tomato sauce into prepared dish. Stuff each shell with 1 heaping tablespoon filling and arrange stuffed shells in baking dish. Spoon remaining sauce over shells and cover with aluminum foil.
6. Bake until pasta is cooked through and sauce begins to bubble, about 30 minutes.
7. Let rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving.