Are you looking for a mouthwatering stuffed shells recipe that will impress your family and friends? Look no further! In this article, we will share with you a delicious stuffed shells recipe that features ricotta cheese, a creamy and flavorful addition that will take your pasta dish to the next level.
Stuffed shells are a classic Italian dish that combines the richness of cheese with the simplicity of pasta. The key to a perfect stuffed shell is to use high-quality ingredients and to follow a well-tested recipe. Today, we are focusing on a stuffed shells recipe that uses ricotta cheese, a staple in many Italian dishes, to create a creamy and indulgent filling.
Let’s dive into the ingredients you will need for this stuffed shells recipe with ricotta:
– 1 pound of jumbo pasta shells
– 1 pound of ricotta cheese
– 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/2 cup of grated mozzarella cheese
– 1 large egg, beaten
– 1/2 teaspoon of salt
– 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
– 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
– 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil
– 1/2 cup of chopped fresh parsley
– 1/4 cup of olive oil
– 1 large onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 (28-ounce) can of crushed tomatoes
– 1 cup of water
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Now that you have all the ingredients ready, let’s move on to the preparation steps:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella, beaten egg, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and parsley.
4. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
5. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute.
6. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and water, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce at the bottom.
9. Fill each pasta shell with the ricotta mixture and place them in the baking dish.
10. Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the stuffed shells, making sure to cover them completely.
11. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
12. Bake the stuffed shells in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
13. Let the stuffed shells cool for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy your delicious stuffed shells with ricotta! This dish is perfect for a family dinner, a special occasion, or as a comforting meal after a long day. The creamy ricotta filling and rich tomato sauce create a balance of flavors that will leave you craving more.
