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Spinach ricotta stuffed shells

Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Delicious Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells baked in sauce that absorbs flavor, perfect for a hearty meal.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Mains
Cuisine American-Italian, Italian, Western
Servings 6 people
Calories 798 kcal

Equipment

  • Baking dish

Ingredients
  

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 es eschallots/shallots or 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 bay leaf fresh (sub dried)
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ⅓ cup tomato paste
  • 700 g tomato passata (US: tomato sauce)
  • ⅓ cup Chardonnay or other dry white wine (sub more stock)
  • 4 cups vegetable stock/broth low sodium
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoon white sugar
  • ⅓ teaspoon black pepper

Filling

  • 250 g frozen chopped spinach thawed
  • 500 g ricotta full fat please
  • ½ cup parmesan finely shredded
  • 1 cup shredded cheese any type!
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • fresh nutmeg just a sprinkling or ⅛ tsp
  • ¾ teaspoon cooking / kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Stuffed shells

  • 250 g jumbo pasta shells (conchiglioni)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
  • ½ cup parmesan shredded
  • Fresh basil and parmesan for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

Sauce

  • Heat oil in a small pot over medium high heat. Add garlic, onion, bay leaf, thyme and oregano. Cook for 3 - 4 minutes until the onion is translucent. Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add wine, increase heat to high and let it simmer rapidly until mostly evaporated (about 2 minutes).
  • Add passata, stock, sugar, salt and pepper. Stir then simmer on low (uncovered) for 20 minutes. Use while hot.

Filling

  • Grab handfuls of spinach and squeeze out excess water.
  • Place spinach in a bowl with remaining Filling ingredients. Mix well.

Assemble & Bake

  • Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F (180°C fan).
  • Stuff UNCOOKED shells with spinach ricotta filling. Stuff them full!
  • Pour the hot tomato sauce in a 23 x 33 cm / 9 x 13" baking dish. Gently place the stuffed shells in - most will be submerged, some may poke above surface.
  • Cover with a baking tray (or foil) then bake for 70 minutes.
  • Check the shells - they should be al dente! Sprinkle with mozzarella then parmesan. Bake 15 minutes until melted.
  • Serve, garnished with extra parmesan and basil if desired!

Notes

Use frozen spinach for convenience. For fresh, use 500g/1 lb sliced spinach leaves or baby spinach leaves, sauté with a little oil to wilt down.

Nutrition

Serving: 407gCalories: 798kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 43gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.004gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 1716mgPotassium: 1338mgFiber: 8gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 8080IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 792mgIron: 6mg
Keyword baked pasta, Comfort Food, Italian dish, pasta shells, spinach ricotta, stuffed shells
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