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Cheesy Veggie-Stuffed Shells

30 minutes

Prep Time

34 minutes

cook Time

4

Servings
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Curated by: Margaret
Go to recipe
Cheesy Veggie-Stuffed Shells

Contains

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Dairy/Milk

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Gluten

Cookware Used

TurboBlaze™ 6.0-Quart Smart Air Fryer - Cream

TurboBlaze™ 6.0-Quart Smart Air Fryer - Cream

Cheesy Veggie-Stuffed Shells in the air fryer take all the comforting flavors of classic baked pasta and serve them up with a fresh, vibrant twist. Tender jumbo shells are filled with bright, savory ricotta, Parmesan, and broccoli, lifted with fragrant basil, lemon zest, and a touch of red pepper flakes for warmth. Toasted pine nuts add unexpected depth and a subtle crunch, while the air fryer creates beautifully crisp edges and a bubbling, golden top in a fraction of the usual time. It’s weeknight-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and just indulgent enough to feel special. 

Nutritional Feature: 

Low in calories and fat, broccoli packs in essential nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, iron, and potassium. In fact, 1 cup of raw broccoli contains 91% of the Daily Value of vitamin C, which is important for immune function and skin health.  

Tools Needed

Ingredients Needed

Scale 1x 2x 3x
Yield 4 Serving

Instructions

Boil the Broccoli & Pasta 

  1. Bring a large pot filled with salted water to a boil over high heat. Fill a large bowl with ice water and keep aside.  
  2. Add the broccoli to the boiling water and cook for 5 minutes, or until just tender. 
  3. Transfer the broccoli to the ice bath to cool down. Drain off the water, then transfer the broccoli into a food processor. 
  4. Bring the water in the pot back to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook until pliable but still al dente. Drain shells and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking. 

Make the Filling 

  1. Add the ricotta, basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to the food processor. Pulse until finely chopped and incorporated.  
  2. Taste and adjust seasoning, then pulse in the egg.  

Assemble & Bake 

  1. Spread ½ cup of marinara sauce across the bottom of an 8-inch baking pan. Stuff each shell with a heaping spoonful of the filling, then place the stuffed shells in the pan. Spoon the remaining sauce over the top of the shells, then top with mozzarella. Cover the pan tightly with foil.  
  2. Place the crisper plate into the air fryer basket, then placet he baking pan onto the crisper plate. 
  3. Select the Bake function, adjust temperature to 350°F and time to 30 minutes, then tap Start/Pause.  
  4. Remove the foil gently from the pan. 
  5. Select the Broil function, adjust time to 4 minutes, then tap Start/Pause
  6. Remove shells when the cheese is melted and golden brown. Garnish with fresh basil, then serve. 

TurboBlaze Time/Temp: Bake 350°F for 30 minutes, Broil 450°F for 4 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: 3 pasta shells

  • Calories: 346 
  • Protein: 15 g 
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g 
  • Fat: 17 g 
  • Fiber: 4 g 
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g 
  • Cholesterol: 71 mg 
  • Sodium: 600 mg 

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION IS ONLY AN ESTIMATE. THE ACCURACY OF THE NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ANY RECIPE ON THIS SITE IS NOT GUARANTEED.

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