High Protein Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells

These mouthwatering spinach and cottage cheese stuffed shells always hit the spot. They're unbelievably cheesy, bursting with flavor, and packed with tons of protein. Plus, just a few simple and easy steps are all you have to follow to make 'em, and from start to finish they'll be ready in just about an hour.

My Take on Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells

There's a reason why stuffed shells are the ultimate comfort food - they instantly bring me back to Sunday dinners around the table - and these healthy ones certainly do not disappoint.

These jumbo pasta shells are filled with three types of cheese, garlicky spinach, and a tangy marinara sauce that's so good it'll keep you coming back for more after every bite. Instead of the ricotta cheese, these stuffed shells are made with cottage cheese plus mozzarella and parmesan.

The cottage cheese lightens up this hearty dinner and adds an extra dose of protein while providing the same cheesy goodness. It's a brilliant way to make these stuffed shells a bit healthier without sacrificing any flavor. In fact, these shells are so good that my little ones absolutely love them, and the rest of the family does, too.

Joe Tip (Like A "Pro Tip" But Better)

When making your pasta, I like to slightly undercook the shells so they don't get too mushy once baked. I typically aim to cook them about 2 minutes shorter than the recommended time for an extra al dente pasta. 

You also want to thoroughly drain the shells so there's little to no moisture left. This will also ensure that your pasta doesn't get soggy while baking. 

One more thing - you definitely don't want to skip out on pouring some marinara sauce over the bottom of your baking dish prior to adding your shells. This crucial step has saved me from serving charred, broken shells that no one wants to see.

Ingredients

Here's everything you'll need to make this spinach cottage cheese stuffed shells recipe:

• 28 jumbo pasta shells (also called conchiglioni)
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• ½ cup mozzarella + ½ cup mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese
• 1 egg

Super simple stuff, right?!

As you can see, this recipe is currently meatless, but don't be afraid to add some for additional protein. Lean ground beef, shredded chicken, or crumbled Italian sausage are all excellent add-ins you can cook and incorporate with the cheese mixture prior to stuffing.

How to Make Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells

Making these stuffed shells is a bit of a labor of love, but don't worry. The prep time for this recipe is just around 30 minutes, if that. Then, you just slide them into oven, and wait.

Once your shells are al dente, you simply prepare the cheese filling, stuff your shells, and bake 'em! Yep, it's that simple.

Step One: Cook the Pasta

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Then, cook the jumbo shells to al dente according to the package directions.

Drain the cooked shells and set them aside for later.

Step Two: Make the Filling

Heat the olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the fresh minced garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.

Add the fresh spinach and sauté for 2-3 minutes until just wilted. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Now, in a bowl combine cottage cheese with parmesan cheese, a half cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and a freshly cracked egg. Season the cheese mixture with salt and pepper to taste, then stir in the cooked spinach until well combined.

Step Three: Assemble

Take an oven-safe skillet or baking dish and spread half of the marinara pasta sauce on the bottom.

Next, stuff each pasta shell with 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon of the cottage cheese mixture and arrange them evenly on the baking dish with the open side of the pasta shells facing up.

Then, pour the rest of the marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, followed by the remaining half cup of mozzarella cheese.

Step Four: Bake

Slide the stuffed shells into the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes.

Then, set the oven to broil and cook for another 5 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Garnished your stuffed shells with fresh basil or parsley and serve as is or with garlic bread on the side. Enjoy!

How to Store Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells

Once the stuffed shells are thoroughly cooled, transfer them to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap. Store them in the fridge for up to 4 days.

You can also store them frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month.

How to Reheat The Shells

The best way to reheat these stuffed shells is in the oven. Just preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), then bake 'em for about 10 minutes or until warmed through.

Smaller portions can also be reheated in the microwave. To do that, just place them in a shallow microwave-safe bowl and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave in 1-minute intervals, checking between each one until you reach your desired temperature.

If you're starting with uncooked frozen stuffed shells, follow the rest of the recipe steps but bake them for an additional 5-10 minutes.

FAQs About This Spinach Cottage Cheese Stuffed Shells Recipe

What goes good with stuffed shells?

For a classic Sunday dinner spread, you'll definitely want to serve your cottage cheese stuffed shells with a healthy mixed greens salad and a side of garlic bread. I also like to serve 'em with some greens - sauteed asparagus, broccoli, or grilled greens beans are always a hit.

How long are stuffed shells good for?

These cottage cheese stuffed shells can be refrigerated for up to four days.

This timeline also applies when you are looking to make this recipe in advance. You can cook and assemble your shells without sauce, then refrigerate them for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.

Then, when you are ready to make them, simply defrost them as needed, then bake them in the marinara sauce as detailed in the instructions. 

Final Thoughts

Well, that's how to make cottage cheese stuffed shells!

I seriously can't overstate how delicious these cheesy spinach stuffed shells are.

I mean, what's not to love?! The pasta is perfectly tender, bursting at the seams with melty, pillowy cheese and baked in a delicious marinara sauce and finished with plenty of stretchy mozzarella. It's ... So. Darn. Good.

And not only is it a show-stopping dish, but it's also a great source of protein and healthier than your typical cheesy stuffed shells thanks to the addition of cottage cheese.

Anyway, I hope you love this recipe as much as my family and I do!

As always, if you make it, don't forget to leave a comment below and tell me what you think.

More Cottage Cheese Recipes

If you liked these high protein cottage cheese stuffed shells, there's a lot more where that came from!

Here are some more cottage cheese recipes for you to try next:

• Cottage cheese ice cream
• Cottage cheese waffles
• Cottage cheese pancakes
• Cottage cheese cookie dough
• Cottage cheese brownies
• Cottage cheese taco bowl

For even more good stuff, you can also check out my Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube channel!