Find Your Meal Prep Inspiration

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Meal Plan Addict

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • Freezer Friendly
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Meal Prep Lunch
    • Mason Jar
    • Sunday Dinners
    • Organization
    • Breakfast
  • Weekly Meal Prep Template
  • Shop
    • Instant Pot | Cook Time “Cheat Sheet” Magnet
    • Amazon Picks
  • Privacy Policy

Healthier 3 Cheese Baked Shells

February 2, 2019 by Steph Leave a Comment

This healthier 3 cheese baked shells recipe is perfect for that cheesy pasta craving we all have…. but this version is bumped up with mega protein without meat! 

Healthier 3 Cheese Baked Shells-2

Pasta and cheese are basically essential food groups for me.

If you follow me on Instagram, or are in the Meal Plan Addict Community, you know I am either hiding veggies in my fav classic recipes.

Or, I am swapping out things like flour and cream, and swapping in cottage cheese – like I did for the Healthier 3 Cheese Baked Shells recipe!

Healthier 3 Cheese Baked Shells-4

This recipe is much lighter in texture than a traditional cheesy pasta bake.

There is no heavy dense sauce to weigh you down. This version focuses on a medley of 3 cheeses, and uses the cottage cheese as the much lighter sauce.

Healthier 3 Cheese Baked Shells-3

My history of making healthier swaps runs deep. I have been known to put white beans into white cheddar soup, or quinoa into cheeseburger meatloaf minis, and of course sneaky carrots and zucchini into my husbands favorite spaghetti sauce.  So, trust me when I say cottage cheese sauce is a win!

Healthier 3 Cheese Baked Shells-5

Healthier 3 Cheese Baked Shells-2
Print
Healthier 3 Cheese Baked Shells
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 

This healthier 3 cheese baked shells recipe is perfect for that cheesy pasta craving we all have.... but this version is bumped up with mega protein without meat! 

Ingredients
  • 3 cups uncooked small pasta shells
  • 750g container 2% cottage cheese
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F

  2. Cook the pasta shells according to the package. Drain and set aside.

  3. Meanwhile, add the cottage cheese, garlic, pepper, and Dijon into a high speed blender. 

  4. Pulse until the ingredients are combined and create a sauce. This should be a think sauce, so make sure you don't over blend. 

  5. Once the cottage cheese sauce is blended, add the mixture to a large bowl.

  6. Stir in the Gruyere cheese until combined.

  7. Add the noodles to the cheese sauce and gently combine.

  8. Add the cheese and shell mixture to a greased 8 X 8 square baking dish. 

  9. Top with the cheddar cheese. 

  10. Bake for 15 minutes. If you like a very crispy cheese top, use the broiler for the last 2 minutes of cooking. 

Recipe Notes

For prep ahead, assemble the recipe up to the bake instruction. Cover and place in the fridge for no more than 24 hours. 

So, there you have it, Healthier 3 Cheese Baked Shells is another way to pump up some protein and lighten up a classic family fav dish! 

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Filed Under: Dinner, Sunday Dinners

« Savory Instant Pot Rice & Veggies
Sriracha Hoisin Ground Pork Bowls »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

I’m Steph. The Meal Plan Addict

I am addicted to living an organized life with meal planning and prep ahead meals. I refuse to have weeknight dinners take longer than 20 minutes to be on the table, and I am Instant Pot OBSESSED. Read more about me..

Connect with me!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Archives

Subscribe to Join the Addiction!

* = required field

Footer

Disclaimer

The content of Confessions of a Meal Plan Addict is based off the author's personal opinions and experiences. This information should not substitute advice given by professional health care providers. The owner and author of Confessions of a Meal Plan Addict will not be liable for any errors or omissions in the information provided. The author will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

INSTAGRAM

Load More...
Follow on Instagram

Most Recent Posts

  • How To Freeze Mason Jar Soups
  • Crispy Air Fryer Dill Pickle Chicken {Freezer Prep}
  • Instant Pot Leftover Brisket Soup
  • 1 Rotisserie Chicken, 4 Easy Prep Lunches
  • Mediterranean Cauliflower Chickpea Salad
  • Air Fryer Sesame Ginger Carrots
  • Tuscan Pork Tenderloin {Freezer Prep}
  • Hearty Taco Breakfast Casserole
  • Air Fryer Garlic Rosemary Rotisserie Chicken

Copyright © 2019 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress