recommendation: easy stuffed shell recipe

I am a big Italian food person – pasta is yummy and satisfying and filling and often easy. I came home from work last night late and exhausted and normally would not attempt to make a big dinner but this recipe is so easy I had it made and in the oven within 20 minutes (counting time for the pasta to boil). Find the original recipe here since I have made a few changes…


1 container (15 oz.) Part Skim Ricotta Cheese
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1 cup 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
1/4 cup KRAFT Parmesan Cheese (grated or shredded)
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked, drained
1 jar (26 oz.) spaghetti sauce (I use Mids Meatless)
1 large tomato, chopped (I normally skip this b/c I’m lazy!)

p.s. I normally add a little fresh torn basil to the cheese mixture if I have any in the house.

Heat oven to 400°F. Mix ricotta cheese, spinach, 1/2 cup mozzarella, Parmesan and seasoning; spoon into shells.

Mix sauce and tomatoes; spoon half into 13x9-inch baking dish. Add filled shells; top with remaining sauce. Cover with foil

Bake 25 min. or until heated through. Top with remaining mozzarella; bake, uncovered, 2 min. or until melted.

Helpful tips:
From Kraft...
Make Ahead: Assemble recipe as directed. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake, covered, at 400°F for 35 min. or until heated through.

Freeze Ahead:Reserve 1/2 cup of the mozzarella. Assemble recipe as directed, but do not top with the reserved mozzarella. Wrap casserole in foil; freeze. When ready to serve, heat oven to 400°F. Unwrap casserole; cover with foil. Bake 55 min. or until heated through, removing foil after 30 min. Top with reserved mozzarella; bake 2 min. or until melted.

From Me...
This is a great recipe if you want to bring a dish for a friend who just had a baby, a relative who just got out of the hospital or even a potluck since they are individual shells! Reheats well too. Flexible recipe - can add a little less spinach, veggies or extra cheese too. Enjoy!