Stuffed Pasta Shells Surprise

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 24 jumbo pasta shells
• 1/4 pound ground beef
• cooking spray
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 tablespoon prepared pesto
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 (24 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 pound finely chopped cooked ham
• 1 (6 ounce) can crabmeat
• 1 (15 ounce) jar alfredo sauce
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Recipe

Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 45 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 15 mins


• fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. once the water is boiling, stir in the shell pasta, and return to a boil. cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 13 minutes. drain well in a colander set in the sink.
• heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in the ground beef. cook and stir until the beef is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. drain and discard any excess grease.
• preheat an oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). spray 2 9x13-inch baking dishes with cooking spray. combine the 2 cups mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, spinach, and pesto together in a bowl.
• stir half of the cheese-spinach mixture into the cooked beef. season with garlic powder. spread about 1 cup spaghetti sauce into a 9x13-inch baking dish. stuff 12 pasta shells with the beef and cheese mixture, then arrange in the baking dish. top with the remaining spaghetti sauce, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.
• mix the remaining spinach-cheese mixture with ham and crab. stuff the last 12 pasta shells with the ham mixture, and arrange in another 9x13-inch baking dish sprayed with nonstick spray. pour the alfredo sauce on top, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.
• bake both casseroles in the preheated oven until the cheese melts and the sauce is bubbly, about 30 minutes.