3-Cheese Spinach Stuffed Shells with Meatballs

This post was sponsored by Carando as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Hearty and delicious, 3-Cheese Spinach Stuffed Shells with Meatballs are a classic family favorite!

I’m not sure if I have mentioned this before, but growing up I hated pasta sauce.  I refused to eat it in any shape or form, even on pizza! Yes, I was the odd kid out at birthday party’s and just about every other kind of party. I outgrew my distaste for sauce during a 10 year period as a vegetarian and then added meat back into my diet about 8 years ago.

This recipe for 3-Cheese Spinach Stuffed Shells is vegetarian on it’s own, but now I serve it with a side of Carando Meatballs (I found them in the fresh meat section of my local Food Lion). My fiancé and kids love it, so this easy recipe has become a regular weeknight meal in our home.

Purchasing Carando Meatballs from Food Lion while I’m doing my regular shopping makes preparing this meal even easier.  They are pre-made meatballs that taste as good as homemade! The founder, Peter Carando, actually learned how to make sausage as an apprentice in an Italian butchershop. He then brought his authentic Italian recipes to America, where they are still used! Today, Carando is one the world’s finest purveyors of Italian deli meats.

There is currently a coupon offer for a FREE Private Label Pasta with the purchase of Carando Meatballs (up to $1.50 value) at Food Lion. Find it easily by typing “Carando” in the search box!

The rest of this recipe takes a little bit more work, but is still very easy!

3-Cheese Spinach Stuffed Shells with Meatballs

Prep!

You will want to get a large pot of salted water on the stove to boil first. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package, drain, and let cool.

In the meantime, preheat your oven to 375°F and make sure to have all your ingredients out and ready to go.  Be sure your spinach is roughly chopped, the garlic is minced, and the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses are shredded.

Create!

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.  Add the spinach and cook down for about 2-3 minutes.

In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses.  Add the spinach, season with salt and pepper, and stir until well combined.

Stuff each shell with a large spoonful of the cheese mixture and place in a large baking dish.

Top with the pasta sauce of your choice.

Add additional cheese, if desired, and cover with foil.

Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Halfway through baking the shells, place the Carando Meatballs in the oven as well.  Turn after 10 minutes, and bake an additional 10 minutes.  Toss with additional pasta sauce, if desired.

Present!

Top the baked pasta with fresh parsley.

Serve the meatballs alongside the 3-Cheese Spinach Stuffed Shells.

Enjoy!

I hope you and your family enjoy this recipe!  Don’t forget to print out your coupon for a FREE box of Private Label pasta with the purchase of Carando Meatballs available at Food Lion!

5 from 4 votes

Print

3-Cheese Spinach Stuffed Shells with Meatballs

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Total Time

45 mins

 

Hearty and delicious, 3-Cheese Spinach Stuffed Shells with Meatballs are a classic family favorite!

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Pork, Vegetarian

Servings: 6 servings

Author: Lauren

Ingredients

• 1 12oz box large shell pasta
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic *minced
• 3 Cups spinach *roughly chopped
• 30 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 Cups mozzarella cheese *shredded
• 1/4 Cup Parmesan cheese *shredded
• salt and pepper *to taste
• 4 Cups pasta sauce *plus more for the meatballs, if desired
• fresh parsley *for garnish
• 1 package Carando Meatballs

Instructions

1. You will want to get a large pot of salted water on the stove to boil first. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package, drain, and let cool. Preheat your oven to 375°F. 

2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.  Add the spinach and cook down for about 2-3 minutes.
   

3. In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Add the spinach, season with salt and pepper, and stir until well combined.
   

4. Stuff each shell with a large spoonful of the cheese mixture and place in a large baking dish. Top with the pasta sauce of your choice. Add additional cheese, if desired, and cover with foil.
   

5. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
   

6. Halfway through baking the shells, place the Carando Meatballs in the oven as well. Turn after 10 minutes, and bake an additional 10 minutes. Toss with additional pasta sauce, if desired.
   

7. Top the baked pasta with fresh parsley. Serve the meatballs alongside the 3-Cheese Spinach Stuffed Shells.