Pasta It’s What for Dinner? #MC #PastaFits #sponsored
“I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Mom Central for the National Pasta Association. I received pasta samples and a stipend to facilitate the creation of pasta recipes as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”
When soccer season starts to roll around for my girls’ pasta is the main item on our table at dinner time. But there is just so many ways that you can serve spaghetti. I am always looking for alternative recipes to meet our pasta needs. Did you know that pasta is high in complex carbs that are the fuel that keeps you going? It also is great to serve with vegetables. Moms, you can be a little sneaky with this if your kids don’t like to eat veggies. Most pasta dishes are quick and easy to prepare so it will fit into your busy lifestyle. It is better for you than a burger from a fast food place.
So with that said I went looking for a site that had pasta recipes because I was tired of just spaghetti and meatballs. That is when I found the Pasta Fits Website. This website has a wealth of information not only do they have recipes but they also have articles about the benefits of pasta, contests and promotions. And the recipes are absolutely to die for. I was mesmerized drooling over all the beautiful pasta dishes. I decided I wanted to experiment with a dish from the site. I spent hours okay maybe not hours but, at least, several long minutes trying to decide what to make. I ended up making the Healthy Stuffed Shells. But of course, I had to do my own little take on it. As I am still recovering from surgery I had a little help with the dish from my husband and my youngest daughter, Gracie. My oldest is away at college and my middle daughter was at soccer practice. So this recipe fit right into our busy schedule.
Here is the recipe that I made.
- 24 Jumbo Shells, uncooked Instead of using the jumbo shells, I used the large shells. Remember you can adapt recipes to what items you have on hand or what your families tastes are.
- 2 cups low-sodium canned tomato sauce
- 1 10-oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed ( Being Sneaky with the veggies, I will admit that I left this out of the recipe but when I put that on the grocery list there is no telling what my husband would have gotten.)
- 8 oz. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 1 3/4 cup)
- 1 1/2 cups low-fat, part-skim ricotta cheese
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and grated (about 2/3 cup)
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- Large pinch ground nutmeg ( I left this out because I realized at the last minute I didn’t have any on hand.)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Drain thoroughly.
Preheat oven to 350° F. Squeeze as much water as possible from the thawed spinach.
In a large bowl, stir together the spinach, mozzarella, ricotta, carrots, egg whites, pepper and nutmeg until thoroughly blended.
Line the bottom of an 11 x 7-inch baking dish with 1/2 cup tomato sauce. Divide the ricotta mixture among the pasta shells, pressing the filling into the shells with a spoon to completely fill each shell.
Arrange the shells side by side in a baking dish. Coat the shells with an even layer of the remaining tomato sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired. I used the leftover Mozzarella instead of the Parmesan.
Bake until the center of the shells are heated through and the sauce is bubbling (about 40 minutes). Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
An exclusive PastaFits.org recipe.
This recipe was a huge hit in my house and I loved how I could sneak some vegetables into the mix as well. Now I want you to head over to Facebook and check out Pasta Fits.
I could eat pasta every day! That looks delicious!
Sounds and looks yummy! I haven’t made shells pasta in a long time! Will have to give your recipe a try!
Goodness that looks delicious! I love that it doesn’t include meat so it’s surely a meal that I can enjoy since I’m a veggie. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I am from a big Italian family, so pasta is a staple for us. I make it at least 3 times a week in different forms! Yum.
Pasta is always a good choice in my house. Thanks for the meal idea.
We are a pretty big pasta family. It is the one dish my kids can all agree on so I make it often for them.
We always do the pasta thing a day or two before the big competition also! Helps that they love it too and scarf it all down.
Yummy pasta is my weakness I could eat it everyday. This looks so good. Hungry now.
I definitely have to check this site out! I have been on a pasta kick lately. Doesn’t matter which kind any will do! Can’t wait to try this recipe out thanks for sharing!
Pasta is our family favourite! I love using shells to mix it up. Great recipe!
Pasta becomes a main dish for us during the school year.. all the activities there is no time to cook allot of food.
That looks so yummy. We have pasta at least 1-2 times per week.
We eat a lot of pasta each week – it’s the one guaranteed food my son will eat. I love that you snuck spinach into the recipe!
That looks yummy! I am gluten-free, so I’ll have to see if I can find any gluten-free shells!
This looks like something that even I could make and that’s saying a lot. My family LOVES pasta and would eat it every day.
Besos, Sarah
That looks really good. I used to make filled pasta for dinner fairly regularly. I haven’t done it in a while. I think I should!
This is true comfort food! So great looking and sounding. Surely your girls are in heaven
Mmm, that looks positively delicious! Stuffed shells are a definite favorite of mine.
Just say the word pasta and I am present. That is my guilty pleasure.
Now that looks so good. I love stuffed shells!
Guess what I just finished eating for dinner? PASTA. Spaghetti, butter and garlic–YUM-it hit that hungry spot very well!
Pasta is my FAVORITE! Just know that I have bookmarked this and am definitely going to make this dish. It looks wonderful! 🙂
You can’t go wrong with having pasta for dinner, I’m a huge pasta fanatic and could have it everyday for dinner.
I love Italian food and my daughter’s favorite food is Spaghetti. I make it with a Dominican twist…and Vegan, of course! Pasta is great for those motherhood moments when you need an easy meal!
I love pasta! I could probably eat it every single day. This looks so delicious.
Yummy, yummy! That pasta looks so good. I always appreciate a nice hearty pasta dish.
I have to admit I love pasta! Though I haven’t had any in ages – this has really made me want to try a pasta dish. x
They have so many great recipes on that site, don’t they? I made roasted garlic and parm pasta, it came out great. Yours looks so delicious!
wow! That pasta meal looks really good. i bet it tasted great
Thank you for this delicious pasta recipe with a twist! Love manicotti!
I really love pasta. Your pasta dish looks really delicious. Wish I had patience to stuff those shells one by one 😀
I had help. This is a great way to get kids in the kitchen helping.
We are extremely partial to stuff shelled but don’t make them as much due to the unhealthy part, but this recipe? Yes, please, and thank you! I can’t wait to make it.
I love pasta and started making my own noodles. Your recipe sounds delicious and I have never thought about adding nutmeg. That is very interesting.
I love finding new pasta recipes, trying this one out!
YUMMMM I love pasta for dinner and these look like a great dinner idea.. totally have to add them to our meal plan for next week..thanks for sharing
Pasta recipes are the best for sneaking in veggies. This sounds great, and it looks nice too.
It has been awhile since I had pasta – that looks yummy!!<3
I love making one pot pasta dishes. They are so easy and delish!
Sneaking in vegetables is an unfortunate reality. Sometimes you have to do it.