These irresistible stuffed pasta shells are baked in layers of classic tomato sauce and creamy white sauce, filled with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth blend of meat and ricotta cheese.
Ingredients
Stuffed Shells Filling
1poundjumbo conchiglioni (shells) pasta
2tablespoonsolive oil
8ouncesground pork
1poundground beef, 85/15
8ouncesfresh spinach , chopped and hard stems removed
See how many pasta shells will fit in your large baking dish and cook them according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set them on a towel and dry them as much as the water as possible.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Stir until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the finely chopped parsley,
Add the ground pork and ground beef, and cook until cooked through, breaking into small pieces as it cooks.
Mix in the chopped spinach, cook until wilted, and no more water is released. Transfer the mixture to a large flat plate or serving dish and cool it completely. I placed mine on a small cookie sheet, spread it out, and refrigerated it to cool.
In a large bowl, add the ricotta, egg, ¼ of the parmesan cheese, ¾ of the mozzarella cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix well, then, once the meat has cooled, add it to the mixture and combine until fully incorporated.
Bechamel Preparation
In a large heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat, melt butter and add the flour. With a whisk, mix until a thick cream forms. Add slowly the milk, constantly whisking, making sure no lumps are formed.
Add salt, pepper, and grated nutmeg as needed. The sauce should leave a thin layer of sauce on the back of a wooden spoon when it is ready.
Assembling
Using a small spoon or a piping bag, fill each shell with the meat and cheese mixture until full.
Pour the tomato sauce into the bottom of a large oven-proof dish.
Add 1/2 of the bechamel over the tomato sauce; there's no need to blend it with the tomato.
Add your stuffed shells over the sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella , then bake at 375 F for 30 minutes, or until the top is browned.
"Al dente pasta, or to the bite", is when you remove it from the boiling water a minute or two before it is fully cooked. This will allow you to cook them a minute longer with the sauce without them becoming too mushy and inedible.
Giangi's Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.