Stuffed Shells

I'm starting this blog, because my family of three just kind of got tired of eating the same things over and over. We're usually on a tight food budget, and because I really try to stray from eating fast foods. I've always enjoyed cooking, and I feel a lot better feeding my family a nutritious home-cooked meal.

This is a new recipe I stole from a friend, and I'm adding my own twist to it. :)

Stuffed Shells!

Ingredients :

1 Box of Jumbo Shells.   ( I used the Walmart store brand Great Value ranged $1.60)

1 lb of Ground Turkey (You can alternate with ground beef or chicken. $2.88)

1 Jar of your favorite pasta sauce (I'm using the Great Value brand as well $1.30)

1 lb of fresh spinach (the price varies on this, but it's usually no more than $1)

2 cups of Ricotta cheese

1 cup of chopped black olives. (optional)

1 tsp Salt (to taste)

1 tsp Pepper (to taste)

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

Directions :

Brown your choice of meat in a pan until fully cooked.

While the meat is cooking, bring 8 cups of water to a full boil and add your jumbo shells.

( I add a tbsp of extra virgin olive oil to the water before to avoid sticking)

Follow the time on the instructions located on your box of shells.  

Cook your pound of spinach.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, mix your Ricotta cheese, black olives, cooked spinach, and all seasonings together. Then add the cooked meat to this mixture.

When your shells are done cooking, drain them and when they are cool enough to handle start stuffing them one by one with the ricotta mixture.

In a greased shallow baking pan (13x9) spread about two cups of pasta sauce across the bottom.

Then place the shells on the sauce, one by one. Once all your shells are in the baking pan, spread the rest of the pasta sauce on top of them. 

You can sprinkle some Parmesan or shredded

mozzarella on top of them if you please :] Put in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes.

Serve with garlic bread, and a side salad.

Enjoy!