 |
INGREDIENTS
| 1 |
|
1 |
|
box (340 g) jumbo pasta shells (approx. 44 shells) |
| 1 lb |
|
500 g |
|
Extra Lean or Lean Ground Beef |
| 1 |
|
1 |
|
medium onion, finely chopped |
| 2-3 |
|
2-3 |
|
large garlic cloves, minced |
| 1 tsp |
|
5 mL |
|
dried Italian herb seasonings |
| 1 |
|
1 |
|
pkg (454 g) light ricotta cheese |
| 1 |
|
1 |
|
pkg (300 g) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry |
| 1-1/2 cups |
|
325 mL |
|
part skim shredded mozzarella cheese |
| 1/2 tsp |
|
2 mL |
|
pepper |
| 4 cups |
|
1 L |
|
fat and salt-reduced pasta sauce |
| 1/4 cup |
|
50 mL |
|
grated light Parmesan cheese |
PREPARATION TIME: 30 minutes
COOKING TIME: 45 minutes
DIRECTIONS
1. Cook pasta shells according to package directions. Drain and rinse; set aside. (Note: don’t worry if some of the shells tear – you won’t need them all).
2. Meanwhile, cook beef, onion, garlic and Italian seasonings in large deep frypan using medium heat, for 10 minutes or until beef is thoroughly cooked and any liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat. Stir in ricotta, spinach, 1 cup (250 mL) mozzarella and pepper; combine well. Spoon about 2 heaping tablespoonfuls (30 mL) of the mixture into each of about 32 shells.
3. Spread 1-1/3 cups (325 mL) pasta sauce into each of a 13 x 9-inch (3.5 L) baking dish and a second, smaller baking dish or glass pie plate. Arrange 20 filled shells in larger baking dish and 10-12 shells in the smaller dish or pie plate. Top shells with remaining pasta sauce. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and remaining mozzarella over shells in both pans. To bake, cover loosely and bake in 350°F (180°C) oven 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 5 minutes.
Heart-Healthy Makeover:
We used no-oil frying, lighter cheeses, sodium-reduced pasta sauce plus lean beef for this health conscious recipe. It’s also a great way to sneak some child-adverse spinach into dinner.
|
NUMBER OF SERVINGS: 10 SERVINGS
NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING
| 420 Calories |
|
14 g Fat |
| 27 g Protein |
|
47 g Carbohydrates |
|
A good source of Iron (24 % RDI)
and an excellent source of Zinc (44 % RDI)
|
Click here to visit Beef Information Centre's official website.
|
|
|
|
