Kids tend to love pasta. Often times, there is not very much protein, so I decided to sneak in some extra by adding chickpeas and our kids were thrilled with the result. They all asked if I would make this again some time.
Cheesy Chickpea Puree Stuffed Pasta Shells
Tools you will need:
- stove
- oven
- food processor
- 9 x 13 inch baking dish
- cooking spray
- aluminum foil
- pot and water for cooking pasta
Ingredients:
- 12 oz. box of jumbo pasta shells
- 15.5 oz. can of chick peas (garbanzo beans) drained
- 8 oz. of cream cheese
- 3/4 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese divided into 1/4 and 1/2 cups
- 1/2 teaspoon of hot sauce (optional)
- 1/2 cup of Panko bread crumbs
- 1 24 oz. jar of marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoons of water
- *This recipe was designed with kids in mind and has a milder flavor. If you prefer more seasoning such as rosemary or oregano, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the seasoning of your choice.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cook the pasta in boiling water for 9 minutes. Drain and cool. Put chick peas, cream cheese, 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese, hot sauce, seasonings and panko bread crumbs into the food processor and process until smooth. There will still be a crunch from the Panko. Once the pasta shells are cool, fill each one with the filling. Grease the 9 x 13 inch pan with cooking spray. Pour 1/2 of the marinara sauce into the pan with the water and mix. Fill the shells with the filling and place in the pan with the sauce. Depending on how full you fill the shells, you may have a few left over. Our kids love to snack on those while the rest is cooking! Cover with the remaining sauce and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
This sounds so good! I love the idea of making the filling with chickpeas
Thank you Working Mom Magic.
It is a fun way to add protein. You could also use ricotta instead of cream cheese if you wanted to make it lighter.
: 0 ) Theresa
Smart! Such a great way to add more protein to a pasta dish. My kids like pesto which I like because there is nuts in the sauce.
Thank you Melissa Matters.
Our kids enjoy pesto too. I sometimes add it to egg dishes to enhance the flavor.
: 0 ) Theresa
These look great! I've been using chick peas so much more lately. I even blend it into baby food for my little ones….so much better than that pureed meat! 🙂
Hi Bree Talks.
Chick peas are wonderful! I agree that they are a great source of protein. I also blended them when ours were babies.
: 0 ) Theresa
Oooo this sounds absolutely delicious!! I will have to pin so I can try this out myself!!! Yummy!!!
Thank you CourtneyLynne.
I hope you enjoy it.
: 0 ) Theresa