Vegetable Stuffed Shells | Giada De Laurentiis

We’ll never sacrifice hearty, flavorful food in lieu of juice cleanses or fasts – it’s just not our thing – but we do love a healthier take on a classic, like stuffed shells. This version is loaded with veggies, goes easy on the cheese, and in Italian tradition, features lentils (which not only bring good luck in the new year, but healthy fiber too!).

The star of this dish is really the sauce the shells cook in. We start with Hunt’s San Marzano-style tomatoes, crushed by hand – and simmer them away with olive oil, veggies and basil to make a super flavorful pomodoro. The tomatoes lend a wonderful natural sweetness, and thanks to their tender texture and with the skin steam-peeled off, it blends up amazingly into a silky smooth sauce.