👨🍳 Recipe of the week - Lasagna stuffed shells
Ingredients:
▫️1 box of jumbo pasta shells
▫️1 pound (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage
▫️1 small onion, finely chopped
▫️3 cloves of garlic, minced
▫️1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
▫️1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
▫️1 teaspoon dried basil
▫️1 teaspoon dried oregano
▫️ 1/2 teaspoon salt
▫️ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
▫️1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
▫️ 1 cup ricotta cheese
▫️ 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
▫️1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
▫️2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish.
2. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent.
4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend together.
5. In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix well.
6. Take each cooked jumbo pasta shell and stuff it with a spoonful of the cheese mixture. Place the stuffed shells in the greased baking dish.
7. Pour the tomato sauce over the stuffed shells, covering them evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
8. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
9. Once done, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
10. Serve the lasagna stuffed shells hot, garnished with additional chopped parsley if desired.
This recipe makes about 4-6 servings, depending on portion sizes. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on your preferences.
Enjoy your delicious lasagna stuffed shells! 😋
