Creamy Artichoke & Spinach Stuffed Shells with Feta and Provolone
Indulge in the delightful fusion of flavors with these creamy Artichoke & Spinach Stuffed Shells. This dish combines the rich taste of feta cheese and provolone with the earthy notes of artichokes and the nutritious goodness of spinach, all enveloped in tender pasta shells. Baked to perfection and smothered in a zesty fire-roasted tomato sauce, it's an unforgettable one-dish meal that is sure to impress at any dinner table. Perfect for special occasions or a cozy weeknight dinner, this recipe is adapted from the beloved December 2006 Cooking Light, ensuring that you don’t lose track of its incredible taste. Enjoy a slice of comfort with every serving!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
dried oregano
1 teaspoon
pepperoncini pepper
1/4 cup (chopped)
fire-roasted tomatoes
28 ounces (crushed)
no-salt-added tomato sauce
8 ounces
provolone cheese
4 ounces (shredded, divided)
feta cheese
4 ounces (crumbled)
fat free cream cheese
4 ounces (softened)
fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon
frozen artichoke hearts
9 ounces (thawed and chopped)
frozen chopped spinach
5 ounces (thawed, drained and squeezed dry)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
large pasta shells
20 (cooked)
cooking spray
as needed
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a medium saucepan, mix together the oregano, chopped pepperoncini, crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Cook over medium heat for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set the sauce aside.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of shredded provolone cheese, crumbled feta, softened cream cheese, drained chopped spinach, chopped artichoke hearts, minced garlic, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
4
Carefully spoon or pipe approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture into each cooked pasta shell.
5
Coat a 13x9 inch baking dish with cooking spray and arrange the stuffed shells in the dish.
6
Pour the tomato mixture over the stuffed shells, making sure to cover them evenly. Sprinkle the remaining provolone cheese on top.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the dish is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8
Remove from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, and serve warm.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Creamy Artichoke & Spinach Stuffed Shells?
It is a vegetarian pasta dish featuring large shells filled with a mixture of feta, provolone, cream cheese, spinach, and artichokes, topped with a zesty fire-roasted tomato sauce.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How many pasta shells are required for this recipe?
You will need 20 large pasta shells that have been cooked according to package directions.
What type of tomatoes are used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 28 ounces of crushed fire-roasted tomatoes.
How long does the sauce need to cook on the stove?
The sauce mixture should be cooked over medium heat for about 12 minutes until it thickens slightly.
What ingredients are in the tomato sauce?
The sauce consists of dried oregano, chopped pepperoncini, crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, and no-salt-added tomato sauce.
What types of cheese are used in the filling?
The filling uses shredded provolone, crumbled feta, and softened fat-free cream cheese.
How much filling should I put in each shell?
You should spoon or pipe approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cheese and vegetable mixture into each cooked shell.
What is the total baking time?
The dish should bake for 25-30 minutes in the preheated oven.
How do I know when the stuffed shells are finished baking?
The dish is done when it is heated through and the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
What size baking dish is needed?
A 13x9 inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
How should the frozen spinach be prepared?
The 5 ounces of frozen chopped spinach should be thawed, drained, and squeezed dry before being added to the filling.
How many garlic cloves are included in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 minced garlic cloves.
Is this recipe considered vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as vegetarian and contains no meat products.
How much provolone cheese is needed in total?
The recipe requires 4 ounces of shredded provolone cheese, which is divided between the filling and the topping.
What adds a 'zesty' flavor to the sauce?
The chopped pepperoncini peppers and fire-roasted tomatoes provide a zesty profile to the sauce.
How many ounces of artichoke hearts are used?
The recipe calls for 9 ounces of frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and chopped.
What type of cream cheese is suggested?
The recipe specifies using 4 ounces of softened fat-free cream cheese.
How much feta cheese is required?
You will need 4 ounces of crumbled feta cheese.
Does the tomato sauce contain added salt?
The recipe specifically calls for 8 ounces of no-salt-added tomato sauce.
What spices are used for seasoning?
The recipe is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of dried oregano and 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
How should I prepare the baking dish?
Coat the 13x9 inch baking dish with cooking spray before arranging the shells.
What is the origin of this recipe?
This recipe is adapted from a December 2006 Cooking Light article.
Should the shells be covered when baking?
The instructions do not specify covering the dish; they should be baked until the cheese is bubbly.
How do I assemble the dish?
Stuff the shells, arrange them in a greased dish, pour the sauce over them, and sprinkle with remaining provolone.
Can I use fresh artichokes?
While the recipe calls for frozen, thawed artichokes, fresh could be used if prepared and chopped similarly.
What should I do after taking the shells out of the oven?
Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the filling to set slightly.
How much pepperoncini is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of chopped pepperoncini peppers.
What tags are associated with this meal?
Tags include pasta, stuffed shells, vegetarian, one dish meal, comfort food, and baked pasta.
Is this a good meal for special occasions?
Yes, the description notes it is perfect for special occasions or a cozy weeknight dinner.