Stuffed Shells with Spinach & Mixed Greens Salad
(Meal Prep-Friendly & Under $15!)
Let’s be honest—while I do enjoy cooking, there are plenty of days when I’m juggling a dozen things and suddenly it’s 4:00 PM… and dinner? Not even on my radar. That’s usually when the UberEats temptation kicks in. (Been there?) But wow, that habit adds up fast.
Lately though, I’ve started a little routine that’s totally changed my evenings: I prep our meals in the morning. Just one simple shift, but it’s made everything smoother. When dinnertime rolls around, I just pop something in the oven or do a quick finishing step—and dinner is DONE. Look at me, earning that “Mom of the Year” award one hot dish at a time!
Tonight’s dinner? Cheesy stuffed shells with spinach, served alongside a fresh mixed greens salad. Things didn’t go quite as planned (more on that below), but it still turned out delicious and, most importantly, everyone was happy. I had everything prepped before noon, and when my husband texted he was on his way home, I slid the casserole in the oven. By the time he walked in the door—boom. Hot, bubbly, ready-to-serve dinner.
Want to round it out? Add Italian bread, a quick veggie, or whatever else your crew loves that’s simple and satisfying.
And the best part?
This entire meal cost less than $15 for our family of four. I grabbed all the ingredients as part of the BOGO (half-off) deals at Publix last week. That’s usually how I plan our meals—around the sales. Especially the BOGOs. It’s a game-changer for the grocery budget and keeps things interesting in the kitchen.
Why I love this meal:
Family-friendly and kid-approved
Easy to prep ahead (even the night before!)
Reheats like a dream for lunch leftovers
Looks fancy (usually) but is secretly SO simple (shh!)
If your days are busy, your evenings are chaotic, and your budget is tight—you’re in good company. I hope this meal idea (and my new prep-ahead habit!) helps make life a little easier and a lot more delicious.
PS: Don’t skip the egg in the recipe like I did… or your shells will look a little slouchy, like mine. Still tasted great, but definitely not Pinterest-perfect. Oh well—this blog is for showing the good, the bad, and the slightly messy. If the family’s fed and happy, that’s a win in my book.
Find the full recipe below:
Cheesy Stuffed Shells with Spinach
Comfort food, meal prep-friendly, and under $15 for a family of four!
Ingredients
5 oz fresh spinach
1 egg
2 cups ricotta cheese (15 oz container)
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving (fresh is best!)
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (or more for heat)
½ tsp salt (plus more for the pasta water)
Ground black pepper, to taste
2 cups marinara sauce (your favorite brand works great if that’s easier!)
Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425°F
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil
Place the spinach in a colander over the boiling water. Cover and steam for 1 minute to wilt. Remove, squeeze out any water, and finely chop
In the same pot, cook pasta shells for 9 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. (Optional: drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking)
In a large bowl, combine:
Chopped spinach
Ricotta
Egg
Parmesan
Garlic
Italian seasoning
Crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper
Spread ½ cup marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish
Fill each shell with the spinach ricotta mixture and arrange in the baking dish
Pour remaining marinara over the shells and sprinkle with leftover cheeses
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, or until bubbling in the center
If you’re baking from chilled, let the dish sit at room temp while the oven preheats (or up to 30 minutes ahead) You may need to bake a bit longer—check for bubbles in the center
Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with grated cheese, if desired
Serving Suggestions:
Mixed greens salad
Roasted green beans or a veggie side
Warm Italian bread
⸻
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the egg—it helps bind the filling so your shells don’t fall apart like mine did that one time (oops!)
