Ingredients
1 box (12 oz) jumbo pasta shells
1 cup pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
15 oz ricotta cheese
2 cups fresh baby spinach, chopped
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
1.5 cups bechamel or marinara sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Step 2: Cook the jumbo pasta shells in boiling salted water according to package directions, but remove them 2 minutes early so they remain firm (al dente). Drain and set aside.
Step 3: In a small skillet, sauté the garlic and chopped spinach with a touch of olive oil until wilted. Let cool slightly.
Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, ricotta, sautéed spinach, half of the Parmesan cheese, the egg, nutmeg, sage, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
Step 5: Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 6: Fill each cooked shell with approximately 2 tablespoons of the pumpkin and spinach mixture and place them in the dish.
Step 7: Top with the remaining sauce, mozzarella, and the rest of the Parmesan cheese.
Step 8: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Notes
Ensure you use pumpkin puree, not pie filling. Squeeze all liquid from the spinach for the best texture.
- Prep Time: PT25M
- Cook Time: PT35M
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 Shells
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 65mg