Creamy Shells with Tuna & Spinach

I still can't believe it's May!  I have some very exciting changes coming up and time seems to be flying faster because of it.  Stay tuned, I will reveal more as the days go by :) I tried this recipe because although I'm not a huge fan of tuna, I love tuna casserole.  I also had large shells that I had bought on a whim from Whole Foods because they were on sale that needed to be used.  This was the best recipe to use them for!

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  In a medium pot, heat oil over medium high heat.  Add onion and cook until softened, around 6 minutes.

Add flour and and cook and stir together.  

Gradually add milk whisking constantly, and cook until it slightly thickens and bubbles.  Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes.

In a food processor, combine bun Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.  Process until fine crumbs form.

Transfer half the mixture to a large bowl and combine with spinach, tuna, and half the sauce. 

Fill each cooked shell with 2 heaping tablespoons of tuna mixture and place in a 9x13 inch baking dish.  

Top with remaining sauce and breadcrumb mixture.  Bake until sauce is bubbling and breadcrumbs are golden, around 20 minutes.

This dish was delicious.  I used skim milk in place of whole milk to cut calories, but the sauce was still creamy and tasty.  This is a great make one night when you have time some, stick it in the fridge, and cook for 20 minutes on a night when you're too tired or busy to spend time making a meal. 

Creamy Shells with Tuna & Spinach
Serves 4
Adapted from Everyday Food Magazine


3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1/4 cup flour
salt and pepper to taste
1 hamburger bun or piece of bread, torn in large pieces
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 10oz package frozen spinach, thawed
2 6oz cans light tuna in water, drained
6 oz jumbo pasta shells, cooked according to directions


Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  
In a medium pot, heat oil over medium high heat.  
Add onion and cook until softened, around 6 minutes.
Add flour and and cook and stir together.  
Gradually add milk whisking constantly, and cook until it slightly thickens and bubbles.  
Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes.
In a food processor, combine bun Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.  
Process until fine crumbs form.
Transfer half the mixture to a large bowl and combine with spinach, tuna, and half the sauce. 
Fill each cooked shell with 2 heaping tablespoons of tuna mixture and place ina 9x13 inch baking dish.  
Top with remaining sauce and breadcrumb mixture.  
Bake until sauce is bubbling and breadcrumbs are golden, around 20 minutes.