Indulge in a culinary journey with our delectable Stuffed Shells Bolognese, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This classic Italian dish combines tender pasta shells, a rich and hearty Bolognese sauce, and a velvety cheese filling, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. Discover the art of preparing this beloved dish with our step-by-step guide, ensuring a perfect outcome every time. Along with the classic recipe, we present exciting variations to cater to diverse preferences, including a vegetarian version featuring succulent mushrooms and spinach, a creamy Alfredo sauce variation, and a unique baked version that adds a crispy golden crust. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this versatile and irresistible dish.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
STUFFED SHELLS BOLOGNESE
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1 1/2 cups cooking water, then drain the pasta and rinse under cold water; set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking up the meat, until browned, 5 minutes. Add the garlic; cook 1 minute. Reduce the heat to medium; add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 cup of the reserved cooking water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Let simmer while you stuff the shells, about 5 minutes, adding more cooking water if the sauce gets too thick.
- Preheat the broiler. Mix the ricotta, roasted peppers, egg white, 1 tablespoon each parsley and shredded cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a bowl. Stuff 1 tablespoon of the mixture into each shell; arrange in the skillet seam-side up. Top with the remaining 2 tablespoons shredded cheese; broil until bubbling, 5 minutes. Top with the remaining 1 tablespoon parsley.
STUFFED PASTA SHELLS WITH HEARTY CABERNET BOLOGNESE SAUCE
Steps:
- Hearty Cabernet Bolognese Sauce: In a large skillet, cook and stir sausage and onion over medium heat until sausage is browned. Stir in mushrooms and garlic and cook 3-5 min. more until mushrooms are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Return skillet to heat. Add drained tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 20 min. If desired, stir in whipping cream. Stuffed Pasta Shells: Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again. In a medium bowl, lightly beat eggs. Drain thawed spinach, pressing out excess liquid. Add spinach to eggs along with 1 1/2 C. of provolone, ricotta cheese and cayenne pepper. Spoon 2 rounded tablespoons of the spinach filling into each jumbo shell. Place shells in 2-qt. square baking dish. Spoon Hearty Cabernet Bolognese Sauce over shells. Cover and bake in a 350 F. oven for 50-60 min. or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 C. provolone before serving. Tips for cooking pasta shells: Use 3 qt. of water for every 4-8 oz. of pasta. Add about 1 T. kosher or sea salt to help bring out pasta's flavor. During first two minutes of cooking, gently stir shells so they don't stick together or to bottom of pan. Sauces can slide right off pasta coated in oil, so avoid using when cooking pasta. Test pasta's doneness a minute or two before the end of the cooking time recommended on the package. Rinse one shell under running water until cool enough to handle and give it a taste. It should have a firm and chewy texture - al dente. When pasta is done, rinse and drain as directed in recipe.
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before starting, measure and prepare all ingredients. This will ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh herbs, vegetables, and cheese are essential.
- Cook the Shells Properly: Follow the package instructions for cooking the pasta shells. Slightly undercook the shells so they retain their structure when stuffed.
- Use High-Quality Cheese: Choose a good quality Parmesan and ricotta cheese. Freshly grated Parmesan provides the best flavor.
- Make the Sauce in Advance: The Bolognese sauce can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. This saves time and allows the flavors to develop.
- Stuff the Shells Carefully: Use a small spoon or piping bag to stuff the shells. Avoid overstuffing, as this can cause the shells to burst.
- Bake Until Golden Brown: Bake the stuffed shells until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the shells are golden brown.
Conclusion:
Stuffed shells are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a flavorful Bolognese sauce, a creamy ricotta filling, and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, these shells are sure to be a hit at your next dinner party or family gathering. Whether you follow the recipe exactly or make substitutions based on your preferences, you're sure to create a dish that everyone will love. So why not give this classic Italian dish a try and discover why it's a favorite among food lovers around the world?
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