Ricotta & Spinach Pasta Shells
March, 2020
My Mother makes stuffed pasta shells as a meal for special occasions and they are always such a hit. They can be a little fiddly and require a bit more time than your usual spaghetti Bolognese but they are worth the extra effort.
Ricotta & Spinach Pasta Shells
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
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16 x large pasta shells (conchiglie)
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1/2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
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2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
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100g baby spinach, roughly chopped or frozen spinach
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350g ricotta
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1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
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1 egg
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700ml passata sauce
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200g cherry tomatoes, washed and sliced in half
Method
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Pre-heat oven to 180⁰c
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Cook pasta as per instructions on the packet, drain and set aside
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Add oil to a small fry pan on medium heat and cook garlic until slightly brown
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Stir through spinach until wilted and set aside
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Add the ricotta, Parmesan, egg and spinach in a large bowl and mix to combine
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Pour half of the passata evenly into a large baking dish
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Add 1 heaped tbs of the ricotta and spinach mixture into each pasta shell, placing the shell in the baking dish once filled
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Pour over the remaining passata sauce
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Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes
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Remove from the oven and scatter cherry tomatoes on top
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Bake for a further 10 minutes under foil, then uncover for the last 5 minutes
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Serve with a side of salad or steamed vegetables