Pasta Shells Filled with Ricotta and Baked in a Tomato Meat Sauce
Try this recipe for Pasta shells filled with ricotta and baked in a tomato meat sauce.
Try this recipe for Pasta shells filled with ricotta and baked in a tomato meat sauce.
- salt and pepper
- 3 eggs lightly beaten
- 1 onion finely diced
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 2 cans chopped tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic finely diced
- for the tomato sauce:
- 2 tbp olive oil
- 500 g beef mince (use either pork a combination or even canned corned beef)
- 1 large 700 ml jar passata
- 750 ml water boiled
- for the pasta shells:
- 500 g large pasta shells (i use conchiglioni pasta)
- 900 g ricotta
- 100 g grated cheese
- small bunch parsley chopped
- additional:
- 100 g grated cheese
- 200 ml boiling water
- Carbohydrate 92.4580731882527 g
- Cholesterol 3611.5 mg
- Fat 197.32098567287 g
- Fiber 6.36825425093284 g
- Protein 238.065172960628 g
- Saturated Fat 97.8066605942018 g
- Serving Size 1 1 recipe (3417g)
- Sodium 4877.73175892432 mg
- Sugar 86.0898189373199 g
- Trans Fat 20.4214569451323 g
- Calories 3088 calories
Step-by-step
- In a frying pan fry the oil, onion and garlic for 5 min or until lightly golden.
- Add the mince and cook for a further 10 min until browned.
- Add the passata, cans of chopped tomatoes and some seasoning. Bring to the boil and then simmer gently for 30 min.
- While the sauce is simmering prepare the shells.
- Mix together the ricotta, eggs, cheese, parsley, nutmeg and salt and pepper.
- Fill the shells with the ricotta mixture and place with the round part of the shell down in an oven dish.
- Preheat oven to 180oC.
- Add the boiled water to the sauce and mix.
- Pour gently over the pasta shells.
- Cook in the oven for 1 hr.
- When 15 min left are remaining place 200 ml boiled water over the shells and scatter the cheese over the top of the shells.
- Cook for the remaining 15 min.
- Check to see if the pasta shells have been cooked and if necessary place in the oven for a further 15 min.
A Comforting Classic: Pasta Shells Filled with Ricotta and Baked in a Tomato Meat Sauce
As a busy working mom, I’m always on the lookout for recipes that are both delicious and easy to prepare. This Pasta Shells Filled with Ricotta and Baked in a Tomato Meat Sauce recipe has become a staple in my household. It’s the perfect blend of comforting Italian flavors and manageable preparation, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or even a relaxed weekend meal. The rich, creamy ricotta filling perfectly complements the tangy tomato meat sauce, creating a dish that’s sure to please the whole family.
The best part? This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily adapt it to your liking. Feeling adventurous? Try adding some spinach or mushrooms to the ricotta filling for extra nutrients and flavor. Want to make it spicier? A pinch of red pepper flakes in the meat sauce will do the trick. Even the type of pasta can be swapped out; larger shells work well, but you could experiment with other shapes too.
The process itself is straightforward. While the meat sauce simmers, you prepare the ricotta filling – a simple mixture of ricotta cheese, eggs, parmesan, herbs, and spices. Then, it’s just a matter of filling the pasta shells, layering them in a baking dish with the sauce, and baking until golden and bubbly. The aroma that fills your kitchen during baking is heavenly, promising a comforting and satisfying meal. The entire process, from start to finish, takes about an hour and a half, but the result is well worth the effort.
One of the things I love most about this dish is its make-ahead potential. You can prepare the ricotta filling and the meat sauce ahead of time, storing them separately in the refrigerator. Then, all you need to do on the day you want to serve it is assemble and bake. This feature is a lifesaver on busy weeknights, allowing me to enjoy a homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Beyond its convenience and deliciousness, this recipe is also a fantastic way to use up leftover ingredients. If you have some leftover cooked meat, you can easily incorporate it into the meat sauce. Similarly, any extra ricotta can be used to make other dishes or even just enjoyed as a simple snack with some crackers. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of transforming simple ingredients into a hearty and flavourful meal.
This Pasta Shells Filled with Ricotta and Baked in a Tomato Meat Sauce recipe is more than just a dish; it’s a testament to the power of simple ingredients and a little bit of love. It’s a meal that nourishes not only the body but also the soul, bringing family and friends together around a table filled with warmth and deliciousness. So, give it a try – I’m confident it’ll become a new family favorite.
This recipe is perfect for:
- Weeknight dinners
- Weekend meals
- Family gatherings
- Potlucks
Feel free to adapt it to your liking – add your favorite vegetables, spices, or cheeses to create your own unique version. Enjoy!
