SPINACH AND RICOTTA STUFFED SHELLS RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the top third of the oven and heat the oven to 375°F.
• If using frozen spinach, thaw 10 ounces according to package directions. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel, roll it up in the towel, and squeeze out all the excess moisture.
• Mince 3 garlic cloves. Grate 12 ounces low-moisture mozzarella cheese on the large holes of a box grater (about 3 cups). Finely grate 1 ounce Parmesan cheese (about 1/2 packed cup).
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. If using fresh baby spinach, add 10 ounces a few handfuls at a time and stir until just wilted, about 5 minutes. If using frozen spinach, add to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of the kosher salt. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly while you parboil the shells.
• Add 6 ounces jumbo pasta shells to the pot of boiling water and cook until barely al dente, about 9 minutes or according to package directions. Drain, drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil while still in the strainer, and toss to coat.
• Add 15 to 16 ounces ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the pan of spinach and stir to combine.
• Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce from a 24-ounce jar into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Stuff each shell with a generous spoonful (about a heaping tablespoon) of the ricotta mixture and place them filling-side up in the dish. Spoon the remaining 2 cups marinara sauce over the shells and sprinkle with the remaining 2 cups mozzarella and Parmesan.
• Bake uncovered until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Make the stuffed shells: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook until just slightly softened but still firm, about 7 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Drizzle with olive oil and toss; set aside. 
• Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste and stir until heated through, about 2 more minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. 
• Combine the spinach mixture, ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, the parmesan, parsley and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Stuff each shell with about 2 tablespoons of the filling; set aside. 
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Make the cheese sauce: Melt the butter with the garlic in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When the butter begins to foam, add the flour and whisk constantly until lightly golden, about 1 minute. Add the milk and cream, bring to a simmer and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thick enough to coat a spoon, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and nutmeg to taste. 
• Brush a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with olive oil and pour in about two-thirds of the cheese sauce. Add the stuffed shells and top with the remaining cheese sauce. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 20 minutes. Uncover and top with the marinara sauce and the remaining 1 cup mozzarella; continue baking until the sauce is bubbly, 15 to 20 more minutes.