This comforting dish features jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a savory mixture of lean ground turkey, ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella, all swimming in a hearty marinara sauce. Its a lighter twist on classic stuffed shells that doesnt sacrifice flavor. The turkey cooks up juicy and tender, while the pasta holds its shape perfectly under a golden layer of bubbly cheese. Ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, these shells reheat beautifully and freeze well. With just a few simple ingredients, youll have a restaurant-quality Italian meal on the table in under an hour.
Turkey Stuffed Shells
Description
This comforting dish features jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a savory mixture of lean ground turkey, ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella, all swimming in a hearty marinara sauce. Its a lighter twist on classic stuffed shells that doesnt sacrifice flavor. The turkey cooks up juicy and tender, while the pasta holds its shape perfectly under a golden layer of bubbly cheese. Ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, these shells reheat beautifully and freeze well. With just a few simple ingredients, youll have a restaurant-quality Italian meal on the table in under an hour.Ingredients
Directions
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Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
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Cook jumbo pasta shells in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
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In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground turkey until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
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Add diced carrot and flour to the turkey, cooking for 1-2 minutes until carrots begin to soften.
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In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half the mozzarella, egg, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
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Stir the cooked turkey mixture into the ricotta mixture until well combined.
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Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
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Fill each cooked shell with the turkey-ricotta mixture and arrange them in the baking dish.
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Pour remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells.
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Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
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Remove foil, sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese, and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 232.7kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 4.2g7%
- Saturated Fat 1.1g6%
- Cholesterol 87.4mg30%
- Sodium 89.1mg4%
- Total Carbohydrate 14.3g5%
- Dietary Fiber 2.1g9%
- Sugars 4.0g
- Protein 32.3g65%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Storage: Cover leftovers tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350F until warmed through.
Freezing: Assemble the dish but do not bake. Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
Variation: Swap ground turkey for ground beef or pork for a richer flavor. You can also add spinach or mushrooms to the filling for extra texture and nutrients.
Tips: If the shells seem too dry after baking, add a splash of water or extra sauce before covering with foil. Make sure not to overcook the pasta initially, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
Ingredient Note: The original ingredient list included flour and diced carrots but lacked cheese and sauce. These have been added to create a complete, realistic recipe. If using leftover cooked turkey, skip the browning step and just warm it through.
