Recipe: Lightened-Up Shells Florentine (American Beauty Pasta recipe)

LIGHTENED-UP SHELLS FLORENTINE

"Start your new year off right without sacrificing flavor in this meatless entree! Make it ahead of time and store, unbaked in the refrigerator up to 48 hours."

1 1/4 cups chopped spinach (or one 10 oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry)
1 cup part-skim ricotta (or lowfat cottage cheese)
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
3 ounces shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided use
8 ounces medium-size pasta shells (2 cups uncooked)
3 cups spaghetti sauce (or one 28 oz. jar), divided use

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

In large bowl, stir together spinach, ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese and 1/3 cup mozzarella cheese; set aside.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Toss hot pasta with 2 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce.

In an (11x7-inch) baking dish, spread one-half pasta mixture. Layer spinach mixture evenly over pasta; cover with remaining pasta. Spread remaining sauce over top; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Makes 8 servings (1 cup each)
Source: American Beauty Pasta