Spinach Recipe » Artichoke and Spinach Stuffed Shells

I love cooking with leftovers, and this artichoke and spinach stuffed shells recipe is a perfect example of why. There's something very satisfying about turning a dish of tired leftovers into a vibrant new creation.

Ingredients

• 24 ounces spinach artichoke dip, at room temperature
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
• salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• 1 (16 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
• 2 cups white sauce (such as bechamel)
• 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Cooking Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Combine spinach artichoke dip and ricotta cheese in a bowl. Stir in egg, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper; mix until well-combined. Set aside.
3. Bring white sauce to a simmer over medium-low heat. Stir in grated Gruyere cheese until cheese is melted and incorporated into sauce, 1 to 2 minutes. Set aside.
4. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Stir in shells and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, but still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain. Set aside.
5. Pour half the white sauce mixture into the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole dish; spread evenly.
6. Stuff pasta shells with the spinach artichoke mixture and place in casserole dish atop the white sauce, stuffed-side up.
7. Pour remaining white sauce over the tops of the shells and sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
8. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and bubbling, about 25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

• calories660
• carbohydrateContent54 g
• cholesterolContent100 mg
• fatContent40.5 g
• fiberContent2 g
• proteinContent22.1 g
• saturatedFatContent15.4 g
• sodiumContent1194 mg
• sugarContent2.3 g