SPINACH-AND CHEESE STUFFED PASTA SHELLS

SPINACH-AND CHEESE STUFFED PASTA SHELLS image

Yield 6 people

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 - 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 cup (about 4 ounces) grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons fennel seeds
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried crumbled
3 garlic cloves, minced
Salt & Pepper
3 1/2 cups purchased marinara or spaghetti sauce
32 jumbo pasta shells, freshly cooked
Additional grated Parmesan

Steps:

Cook Pasta Shells, let sit Squeeze spinach dry. Transfer spinach to large bowl. Add ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan, fennel, basil, and garlic to bowl. Season mixture with salt and pepper; blend Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spoon 1/2 cup Marinara sauce evenly over bottom of 9x13x2-inch baking dish. Fill each pasta shell with spinach mixture. Place shells, filling side up, in dish. Spoon remaining sauce over shells. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan. Cover loosely with foil and bake until heated through, about 30 minutes. Serve, passing additional parmesan separately.