Best Ricotta Stuffed Shells With Pesto Recipes

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RICOTTA-STUFFED SHELLS WITH PESTO



Ricotta-Stuffed Shells With Pesto image

Classic stuffed and baked Italian-American jumbo shells are an easy sell. This summery version dispenses with the tomato sauce: The shells are instead drizzled lightly with olive oil, dusted with grated pecorino and bread crumbs, baked briefly until nicely browned, then napped with a bright green garlicky pesto sauce. The effect is more akin to crispy ravioli than a juicy, long-baked casserole. Serve 2 or 3 shells as a first course, 5 to 6 for a main.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     casseroles, pastas, main course

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

Salt and pepper
1 pound giant pasta shells made from semolina (500 grams on some imported brands), 36 to 40 pieces
24 ounces fresh ricotta, about 2 1/2 cups
2 eggs
3 or 4 scallions, green and white parts, finely chopped
3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped thyme, marjoram or rosemary
Zest and juice of 1 small lemon
Pinch of crushed red pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup grated pecorino, plus 1/4 cup more for topping
Extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs
2 cups basil leaves, rinsed and dried
1 cup Italian parsley leaves, rinsed and dried
1 or 2 finely grated garlic cloves
Salt and pepper
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Put a large pot of well-salted water over high heat, and bring to a boil. Add the pasta shells, put the lid on the pot to help water return to a boil, then remove lid, stir pasta and continue cooking, uncovered until al dente, usually abut 10 minutes. (It's better to err on the undercooked side than risk flabby pasta, so check early and often.)
  • Remove pasta from pot and cool in a large bowl of water. Drain well and spread cooked shells on a baking sheet lined with a kitchen towel.
  • Meanwhile, make the ricotta filling: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, eggs, scallions, parsley, thyme, lemon zest and juice, and crushed red pepper to taste. Add grated Parmesan and pecorino. Season well with salt and pepper and mix well to incorporate ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Heat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly oil a large shallow baking dish (use 2 dishes if necessary). Using a spoon or pastry bag, put about 1 tablespoon ricotta mixture into each pasta shell. Arrange the filled shells in one layer in the baking dish, packed closely together. Drizzle surface lightly with olive oil, or use a small brush to lightly paint each shell.
  • Sprinkle top with 1/4 cup pecorino and bread crumbs and bake, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, until heated through, crisp and golden brown.
  • To make the pesto, pulse basil, parsley, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender or food processor until roughly chopped. Add oil slowly and blend well. Add a little pepper, taste and adjust seasoning and transfer to a serving bowl.
  • To serve, drizzle shells with a little pesto sauce and pass the rest at the table.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 706, UnsaturatedFat 30 grams, Carbohydrate 53 grams, Fat 45 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 23 grams, SaturatedFat 13 grams, Sodium 524 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams

STUFFED SHELLS III



Stuffed Shells III image

This recipe is a hit wherever you go. It is a very rich and cheesy meal and looks like a deep-dish pizza when done. I altered what I was originally given because I did not like cottage cheese and added other ingredients that I thought it deserved.

Provided by Renee

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Stuffed Main Dish Recipes

Time 1h30m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (12 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
2 eggs, beaten
1 (32 ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
8 ounces grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 tablespoon dried parsley
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (28 ounce) jar pasta sauce
8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • In a large bowl, mix eggs, ricotta, half the mozzarella, half the Parmesan, parsley, salt and pepper until well combined. Stuff cooked shells with ricotta mixture and place in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together pasta sauce, mushrooms and reserved mozzarella and Parmesan. Pour over stuffed shells.
  • Bake in preheated oven 45 to 60 minutes, until edges are bubbly and shells are slightly set.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 549.7 calories, Carbohydrate 43.7 g, Cholesterol 115.6 mg, Fat 24.5 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 37.7 g, SaturatedFat 13.9 g, Sodium 1544.2 mg, Sugar 9.3 g

RICOTTA STUFFED SHELLS



Ricotta Stuffed Shells image

My version of cheesy stuffed shells. I read a few recipes online, (www.cooks.com as well as recipezaar.com) then used a "frankenstein" technique to make them just like my mom does. I made my sauce kinda plain, I'm pregnant and not much for chunky stuff right now. When I'm not so picky, I will add zucchini and chunky stewed tomato. It fed 4 hungry adults and a two year old with about one portion of left overs so I would say it could comfortably feed five adults. As a side note, the sauce is a really great marinara, I have used it for meatball subs too!

Provided by Faitherbee

Categories     Pasta Shells

Time 1h30m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 (12 ounce) box jumbo pasta shells
1/8 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (15 ounce) can four cheese tomato sauce
1 tablespoon parsley
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon oregano
8 ounces ricotta cheese
4 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
1 tablespoon parsley
1 egg

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • For Shells: Boil according to directions on the box. Drain, rinse with cold water. Set them aside.
  • For Sauce: Simmer the onion and garlic together in olive oil. When they are golden, add in the tomato and then spices. Cook for 15 minutes.
  • For Filling: Add all filling ingredients together in a bowl and mix well.
  • Pour half your sauce evenly into the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan. Stuff your closed, undamaged noodles and arrange them in one layer over the pan, opening side down. Pour the rest of the sauce over the top of your noodles, then sprinkle with grated parmesan. Bake covered for 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 646.4, Fat 24.5, SaturatedFat 10.8, Cholesterol 108.1, Sodium 860.1, Carbohydrate 78.2, Fiber 4.6, Sugar 9.2, Protein 28.5

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