Lunch: Spinach- and Cheese- Stuffed Pasta Shells

Recipe by Blair Box: Costa Mesa, California Fennel seeds add a flavorful new twist to this vegetarian main course.

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Spinach, Basil

Health and fertility benefits of Spinach- and Cheese- Stuffed Pasta Shells

Fresh spinach is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B6, all of which have significant roles in reducing inflammation in the body, all of which help in the case of infertility. Basil is an excellent stress reliever, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Ingredients

2 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 cup (about 4 ounces) grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons fennel seeds
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried, crumbled
3 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and pepper
3 1/2 cups purchased marinara or spaghetti sauce
32 jumbo pasta shells, freshly cooked
Additional grated Parmesan

Instructions

Squeeze spinach dry. Transfer spinach to large bowl. Add ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan, fennel, basil and garlic to bowl. Season mixture with salt and pepper; blend.
Preheat oven to 350 °F. Spoon 1/2 cup marinara sauce evenly over bottom of 9x13x2-inch baking dish. Fill each pasta shell with spinach mixture. Place shells, filling side up, in dish. Spoon remaining sauce over shells. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan. Cover loosely with foil and bake until heated through, about 30 minutes. Serve, passing additional Parmesan separately.

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