Tuscan Stuffed Shells: A Flavorful Italian Comfort Dish 🍝

If you’re looking to bring a taste of Tuscany to your dinner table, these Tuscan Stuffed Shells are the perfect dish. With a rich and creamy filling nestled inside tender pasta shells, all bathed in a savory tomato-cream sauce, this recipe is sure to be a hit. Plus, it’s easy to prepare and makes for a comforting and indulgent meal any day of the week.

Ingredients

Pasta

• 6 ounces large pasta shells (approximately 20 shells)

Filling

• 1 cup (246 g) ricotta cheese
• ½ cup (56.5 g) mozzarella cheese, grated
• ½ cup (50 g) parmesan cheese, grated
• ½ cup (50 g) romano cheese, grated
• 6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh basil, finely diced

Sauce

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• ¼ cup (27.5 g) sun-dried tomatoes, softened in hot water and chopped
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ cup (31 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 g) chicken broth
• 1 cup (238 g) heavy cream
• 1 cup (30 g) fresh baby spinach
• ¼ cup (25 g) parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Basil, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat Your Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). 🔥

2. Cook the Pasta

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells 4 minutes less than the time indicated on the box. This ensures they finish cooking in the oven without becoming overcooked. Drain the pasta and let it cool until it can be handled comfortably. 🍝

3. Prepare the Filling

In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, romano cheese, cream cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, and fresh basil. Mix until the ingredients are smooth and well incorporated. 🧀🌿

Transfer the filling mixture to a piping bag (or use a zip-top plastic bag with a corner cut off). Fill each pasta shell with the prepared mixture and set them aside. 🌟

4. Make the Sauce

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced onions and cook until they become translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes. 🧅

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. 🧄

Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let it cook for another minute before adding the flour. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. 🍅

Gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. 🥣

Add the heavy cream, spinach, and grated parmesan cheese. Cook until the spinach is wilted, approximately 3-5 minutes. 🌿🧀

5. Assemble the Dish

In a 12-inch cast-iron skillet (or any oven-safe skillet), spread 1 cup of the prepared sauce on the bottom. Place the stuffed pasta shells in an even layer over the sauce. 🌟

Pour the remaining sauce over the pasta shells, ensuring they are fully covered to prevent them from drying out in the oven. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. 🧀

6. Bake

Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. Then, switch to the broil setting and broil the shells for 2-3 minutes, watching closely until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. 🧀🔥

7. Serve

Remove the skillet from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped basil before serving. Enjoy your delicious Tuscan Stuffed Shells! 🍃✨

Recipe Summary

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Servings: 4-6 servings

These Tuscan Stuffed Shells are an elegant yet comforting dish that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions. The creamy filling and flavorful sauce make every bite a delight. Serve with a side salad and a glass of wine for a complete meal. Buon appetito! 🍷

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