• ▢ 24 jumbo pasta shells (For a lower SmartPoint option, consider whole wheat jumbo shells)
• ▢ 1 lb ground chicken *weighed raw. Lean ground turkey is a great substitute. If using ground beef or pork, adjust SmartPoints accordingly.
• ▢ 1 cup diced peppers *I used a colorful mix of red & green. Feel free to use yellow or orange peppers, or even add mushrooms or spinach.
• ▢ 1/3 cup diced onion
• ▢ 2 garlic cloves, diced (freshly minced garlic adds the best flavor!)
• ▢ 1.5 cups light ricotta cheese (Essential for creamy texture, light version helps with SmartPoints.)
• ▢ Pepperoni slices, I used Ziggy’s Canadian brand (40 slices = 112g). I recommend cutting all slices into 4 for better distribution and flavor in each bite. Mini pepperoni (if available) is also a great option.
• ▢ 1 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese (For that classic pizza melt, reduced-fat keeps the points down.)
• ▢ 3 tsp Italian seasoning (A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, thyme – perfect for pizza flavor.)
• ▢ 3 Tbsp Parmesan cheese (Adds a salty, umami depth.)
• ▢ 2 cups tomato pasta sauce *I used my own homemade veggie pasta sauce (linked above), which is a fantastic low-point option. Feel free to use your favorite jarred sauce, just check the nutritional information.

• Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package directions, but reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes. This ensures they remain slightly firm (al dente) as they will continue to cook in the oven. Drain them thoroughly and set aside to cool slightly, making them easier to handle for stuffing.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s fully browned. Once the chicken is cooked, drain any excess fat. Then, add in the diced peppers, onions, and garlic, and sauté until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, typically 5-7 minutes.
• Transfer the cooked meat and vegetable mixture to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the light ricotta cheese, half a cup of the shredded mozzarella (reserving the other half for topping later), three-quarters of the chopped pepperoni, 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. Mix everything thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the filling is uniform.
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure your oven is at the optimal temperature for baking, leading to beautifully cooked shells and perfectly melted cheese.
• Spread three-quarters of a cup of your chosen pasta sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9×13 inch casserole dish. I recommend spraying the dish with a little non-stick spray beforehand for easier cleanup. It’s crucial to use a dish of this size to accommodate all 24 jumbo shells comfortably.
• Carefully take each cooled pasta shell and generously stuff it with the prepared meat and cheese mixture. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer in the casserole dish, placing them seam-side up or nestled closely together.
• Once all shells are stuffed and arranged, spoon the remaining 1 and 1/3 cups of pasta sauce over the top. Then, sprinkle with the reserved 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, the remaining 1/4 of the pepperoni, 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. This layering ensures a cheesy, flavorful crust.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is hot throughout. Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving – this allows the cheese to set and prevents burns. This recipe makes 6 servings, with each person enjoying 4 hearty pasta shells. This dish also freezes exceptionally well for future meals!

– Blue Program: 8 SmartPoints per serving, calculated using the WW recipe builder. This is a fantastic option for a satisfying meal on this program.

– Green Program: 9 SmartPoints per serving, also calculated with the WW recipe builder.

– Purple Program: A very friendly 5 SmartPoints per serving, specifically when using whole wheat pasta. This showcases the benefit of whole grains in this plan.

Points Plus (Older WW Program): For those still tracking with the older Points Plus system, each serving is approximately 9 Points Plus, calculated using a reliable PP calculator.

Nutritional information per serving: These figures are approximate and based on calculations using MyFitnessPal, including all specified ingredients. Please note that values may vary slightly depending on exact brands and preparation methods.

– Calories: 369 kcal

– Fat: 12g

– Saturated Fat: 5.2g

– Carbohydrates: 31g

– Fiber: 2.2g

– Sugar: 6.4g

– Protein: 33.1g

*Note: These numbers are estimates and reflect the full recipe as outlined. Adjustments to ingredients (e.g., different types of meat or cheese) will impact these values.