Four-Cheese Stuffed Shells with Smoky Marinara

Ingredients

• 1 pound uncooked jumbo shell pasta (40 shells)
• Cooking spray
• 1 (12-ounce) carton 1% low-fat cottage cheese
• 1 (15-ounce) carton ricotta cheese
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Asiago cheese
• 3/4 cup (3 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
• 6 cups Smoky Marinara, divided
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
• Parsley sprigs (optional)

Preparation

1. 1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and set aside.
2. 2. Preheat oven to 375°.
3. 3. Coat 2 (13 x 9-inch) baking dishes with cooking spray; set aside.
4. 4. Place cottage cheese and ricotta cheese in a food processor; process until smooth. Combine cottage cheese mixture, Asiago, and next 6 ingredients.
5. 5. Spoon or pipe 1 tablespoon cheese mixture into each shell. Arrange half of stuffed shells, seam sides up, in one prepared dish. Pour 3 cups Smoky Marinara over stuffed shells. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella. Repeat procedure with remaining stuffed shells, 3 cups Smoky Marinara, and 1/2 cup mozzarella in remaining prepared dish.
6. 6. Cover with foil. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Garnish with parsley, if desired.
7. To freeze unbaked casserole: Prepare through Step 5. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing to remove as much air as possible. Wrap with heavy-duty foil. Store in freezer up to two months.
8. To prepare frozen unbaked casserole: Preheat oven to 375°. Remove foil; reserve foil. Remove plastic wrap; discard wrap. Cover frozen casserole with reserved foil; bake at 375° for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until shells are thoroughly heated.