Best Fried Pasta Shells With Vodka Sauce Dip Recipes

FRIED PASTA

Fried Pasta image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

Kosher salt
8 ounces bow-tie pasta
About 6 cups vegetable oil, for frying
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup finely grated fresh Parmesan
One 24-ounce jar marinara, heated, for serving

Steps:

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook about a minute less than the recommended cooking time. Drain the pasta and spread it in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Let cool and pat completely dry with paper towels.
Pour about 2 inches of oil into a large Dutch oven and heat over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer reaches 375 degrees F.
Fry the pasta in 3 batches (about a cup each batch) until golden brown and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes.
Meanwhile, to a mini processor or spice grinder, add the basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Process until finely ground.
Remove the fried pasta from the oil, drain on paper towels, then sprinkle immediately with some of the seasoning mix. Repeat, working in batches, with the rest of the pasta and seasoning mix.
Put the fried pasta on a serving platter and sprinkle with the Parmesan. Serve alongside the warm marinara for dipping.

STUFFED PASTA SHELLS

Stuffed Pasta Shells image

These savory shells never fail to make a big impression, even though the recipe is very easy. One or two of these shells makes a great individual serving at a potluck, so a single batch goes a long way. -Jena Coffey, St. Louis, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 package (12 ounces) jumbo pasta shells, cooked and drained
3-1/2 cups spaghetti sauce
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine cheeses and spinach; stuff into shells. Arrange in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Pour spaghetti sauce over the shells. Cover and bake until heated through, about 30 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese after baking.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 314 calories, Fat 13g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 44mg cholesterol, Sodium 576mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 18g protein.