Stuffed Pasta Shells

These are pretty much my favorite thing ever, and I have to thank my awesome Mom for the recipe. Also, big thanks to my friend, Joanna, for helping me make these last night.  These freeze really well (if for some reason you end up not eating them all).

Ingredients (makes ~25 shells)

-1.5 jars pasta sauce
~30 shells (some will likely break while cooking, so I make a couple extra)
-1 cup shredded mozzarella
-2 T basil

Veggie topping
-1 10 oz bag of fresh spinach
~7 oz sliced mushrooms (I use baby portabellas)
-1 medium onion, diced
-3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
-2 T balsamic vinegar
-1.5 T EVOO
Cheesy bread crumb topping
-2/3 C Italian bread crumbs
-1 C Ricotta cheese (or you can use cottage cheese)
-1 C Parmesan or shredded mozzarella
-1 T fresh oregano, chopped (optional)
-2 eggs, slightly beaten
-salt & pepper

Steps
1. Cook shells al dente
2. While water is bowling/shells are cooking, mix all the ingredients for the cheesy bread crumb topping together in a medium bowl.

3. Saute onion w/ EVOO in a large pan for a couple of minutes, then add mushrooms, garlic, and balsamic vinegar. Saute for another 5 or so minutes (you want the mushrooms to shrink a bit).

4. Turn the heat on the pan OFF. Add a couple of handfuls of spinach at a time to pan and toss with other veggies. Allow the heat from the other veggies to wilt the spinach, all the while adding more spinach and continuously tossing. (You want the spinach to cook down, but not be mush, which is why I turn the heat off and just let the heat from the other veggies slowly wilt down the spinach.)

5. Grease a 13X9 pan, and add 1/2 jar of sauce to the bottom.

6. Make your shells. Fill shell half-way with veggie mixture and top with a spoonful of cheesy bread crumb mixture.

7. Top shells with remaining jar of sauce.

8. Cover pan with foil and bake for 25 minutes at 350. After 25 minutes remove from oven, top with 1 cup shredded mozzarella and basil, cook for another 10 minutes (I turn the broiler on for the last couple minutes to brown the cheese).