STUFFED LARGE SHELLS 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:

• Preheat oven or broiler to 450 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt water and add pasta. Cook shells 12 to 15 minutes, they should be softened but still undercooked at the center. Drain pasta and cool.
• Combine ricotta, 1/2 of the diced mozzarella, a couple of handfuls of Parmigiano and 1/2 of the Asiago. Add parsley to the cheeses and stir to combine.
• To a small saucepot over moderate heat add oil, garlic and onions. Saute onions and garlic 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and season sauce with salt and pepper. Simmer sauce 5 minutes and stir in basil leaves
• Pour a little sauce into the bottom of a shallow medium sized flameproof casserole dish. Fill shells with rounded spoonfuls of cheese mixture and arrange them seam side down in casserole dish. Top shells with remaining sauce and remaining mozzarella and Asiago cheeses. Place shells in very hot oven or 8 inches from hot broiler and cook 6 to 8 minutes to melt cheeses and bubble sauce.