Cozy High Protein Stuffed Shells (Vegetarian + Meal Prep Friendly)

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if you’re looking for a cozy, comforting dinner that still checks the box for protein and nutrition, these high protein stuffed shells are exactly what you need.

they’re cheesy, saucy, satisfying, and sneakily packed with 29g of protein per serving — no meat required.

let’s talk filling

the base is a dreamy combo of ricotta, low-fat cottage cheese, and plain greek yogurt.

it’s rich and creamy, but still light enough to keep things balanced.

a good handful of chopped spinach and parsley folds right in for some extra greens, and we load it up with shredded mozzarella for melt and flavor.

to boost the protein even more, a scoop of unflavored pea protein disappears right into the filling — you don’t taste it, but your body will thank you.

how to make them

start by boiling jumbo shells until just tender.

while they cook, mix together the filling — ricotta, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, shredded mozzarella, seasonings, spinach, parsley and that scoop of protein.

once the shells are cooked and cool enough to handle, stuff them generously with the filling.

snuggle them into a baking dish with a layer of marinara, then spoon a little more sauce on top.

sprinkle with more shredded mozzarella (we’re not skipping the cheese pull here), and bake until bubbly and golden.

macro-friendly comfort

if using skim milk cheese/low fat cottage cheese and greek yogurt, each serving (about 5 shells) has roughly:

~407 cal

~12g fat

~43g carbs

~29g protein

honestly, that’s pretty amazing for something that tastes like a hug on a plate!

how to serve them

pair with a crisp side salad, steamed veggies, or roasted broccoli.

they reheat well, so they’re perfect for meal prep — just store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze them for later.

you could even pack these for lunch with a little container of extra sauce on the side.

want to make it vegan?

easy swap: blend 1 block of firm tofu with 1/2 cup vegan cream cheese, 1/4 cup unsweetened non-dairy yogurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy.

then fold in chopped spinach, your favorite vegan shredded cheese, and a scoop of unflavored plant-based protein if you’d like.

use that to stuff the shells and follow the rest of the steps as written. same cozy vibes, totally plant-based.

if you like Cozy High Protein Stuffed Shells (Vegetarian + Meal Prep Friendly), you’ll also love these other recipes of mine!

Quick and Easy Farro Chickpea Salad with Vegan Feta Crumbles

Spaghetti Squash Enchilada Casserole (Higher-Protein, Plant-Based & Delicious)

Plant-Based Protein Chickpea Salad Wraps (Dairy-Free & Delicious!)

Creamy and Nourishing High Protein Green Glow Soup

Protein-Packed Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Lentil, Chickpea & Edamame Salad

Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Creamy Stewed Butter Beans

Plant Powered Protein Crispy Rice Salad

Comforting French Onion Soup Protein Pasta Bake

Low Carb Pizza Cauliflower Steaks

No-Reheat Sweet Potato and Tofu Wraps with Spicy Brown Mustard Hummus

Nourishing Spinach and Mushroom Curry Orzo Bake

Low Carb Plant Based Protein-Packed Lasagna

The Best Vegan Tortilla Soup – Creamy and Protein-Packed

Lower Carb Cacio e Pepe Spaghetti Squash Bake

Veggie and Protein Packed Salad with Spiced Peanut Dressing

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Cozy High Protein Stuffed Shells (Vegetarian + Meal Prep Friendly)

Recipe by Mary
Servings

5

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

30

minutes
Calories

410

kcal

APPROXIMATE MACROS per serving (5 stuffed shells) if using skim, reduced fat
per serving (1/5):
~407 cal / 12g fat / 43g carbs / 29g protein

APPROXIMATE MACROS per serving (5 stuffed shells) if using regular
per serving (1/5):
~467 cal / 19g fat / 43g carbs / 29g protein

Ingredients

  • 25 jumbo pasta shells (cook a few extra in case some break)
    1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or whole milk)
    1 cup ricotta cheese (part-skim or whole milk)
    1/2 cup plain greek yogurt (nonfat or full-fat)
    1/3 cup shredded mozzarella (regular or reduced-fat)
    1 1/2 cups finely chopped spinach (fresh or thawed frozen, squeezed dry)
    handful chopped parsley
    1/2 tsp garlic powder
    1/2 tsp onion powder
    1/2 tsp sea salt
    1/4 tsp black pepper
    1 scoop unflavored or savory protein powder (pea, rice, etc. — about 20g protein)
    1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
    3/4 cup shredded mozzarella for topping (regular or reduced-fat)

Directions

  • preheat oven to 375°f (190°c) and lightly grease a large baking dish (9×13).
  • cook the shells according to package directions until al dente. drain and rinse with cool water to stop cooking. set aside.
  • make the filling: in a mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, ricotta, greek yogurt, 1/3 cup mozzarella, chopped spinach, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and protein powder. mix until well combined.
  • assemble the dish: spread about 1/2 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. then, spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling into each cooked shell and place them seam-side up on top of the sauce.
  • top with 1 cup marinara sauce and sprinkle with the 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella.
  • cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden. let cool slightly before serving. enjoy!

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hi, i'm mary!

I create healthy recipes using real foods that will nourish both your body and soul.

Here, you’ll find everything from scrumptious desserts to savory and nourishing comfort food. Thank you for being here and I hope you enjoy my delicious creations

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