Taco Stuffed Shells

Now that I am on my way to making a skinny version for everything without sacrificing taste why not Taco Stuffed Shells?  I love pasta and I love Mexican cuisine (I know...this is technically Mexi-American, but you know what I mean).  Unfortunately both of those are difficult to keep healthy sometimes.  This is a healthier version of the taco stuffed shells that we love so much without sacrificing flavor!

This is a hard dish to make pretty, but I'm telling you they taste FANTASTIC!

Taco Stuffed Shells
1 package Ground Turkey
2-3 TBS Homemade Taco Seasoning or 1 packet
4 oz Reduced Fat Cream Cheese
18 Jumbo Shells
1 cup Salsa
1 cup Taco Sauce
2 cups Shredded Cheese
1-1/2 cups Natural Tostito's Tortilla Chips, crushed
1/4 cup Green Onion, chopped

• Cook pasta shells according to package, drain, and set aside
• Meanwhile cook meat and then add taco seasoning along with water 
• Add cream cheese along with 1 cup of shredded cheese then simmer until cheese is fully melted and blended
• Set meat aside and allow to cool
• Pour salsa in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish
• Stuff each shell with meat mixture and arrange in the baking dish
• Then top with taco sauce
• Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes
• Uncover and then sprinkle with crushed chips, green onion, and remaining shredded cheese
• Bake (uncovered) for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted

Set out your favorite taco toppings and let everyone top their own.  Black olives, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, guacamole, or whatever else you can dream up :)  This dish definitely could be much healthier by adding more veggies or beans to the filling (I think corn and black beans would be good), omitting the chips, and using fat free cheeses (or at least reduced fat cheeses).  I personally do not like the way reduced fat cheeses melt.  Has anyone had good luck using them to melt in a dish?  I would love to know a brand that does!

Today is my cheat day so I really don't feel too bad about this recipe ;)   Below is the nutritional value for each pasta shell not including any extra toppings.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 96 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 179 Calories from Fat 68

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 7.6g 12%

Saturated Fat 3.8g 19%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 35mg 12%

Sodium 374mg 16%

Total Carbohydrates 15.1g 5%

Dietary Fiber 1.0g 4%

Sugars 2.4g

Protein 13.2g

Vitamin A 10% • Vitamin C 5% Calcium 12% • Iron 5%

Nutrition Grade B-

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• High in thiamin

Bad points

• High in saturated fat