Feeds 8 - 10
Makes about 45 - 50 Shells
Ingredients
750g of Ricotta - 2 Tubs
2 Eggs
1 Bunch of Spinach
1 Red Onion
Handful of Fresh Parmesan
50g of Provolone/Caciocavallo
1 500g Packet of Conchiglie
EV Olive Oil
Method
Preheat your oven to 200c.
Get your sauce going and put a pot of salted water to boil for your pasta.
Soak your spinach to wash it well, drain and finely chop.
Finely dice or grate your onion and add it to a large pan with some olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. Once it cooks for a few minutes add in a little bit of water, about half a cup and cook till the water has all absorbed.
Now add in the spinach and cook for a few minutes till the spinach has wilted and the onion is soft and caramelized, then turn off the heat and let it cool.
Once it has cooled add in the ricotta, eggs, grate in both cheeses, a sprinkle of salt and a good crack of pepper. Mix till all combined and smooth.
Use the package directions for your own pasta but they usually take 15 minutes to cook, you want the pasta to be quite al dente because it will continue to cook in the oven. Drain and put them back in the pot with cold water, this will stop them from sticking.
By this stage your sauce will be ready, before you take it off the heat add in about 2 cups of water.
Time to assemble - start with a few ladles of sauce and a drizzle of oil, then use a spoon to help you scoop the mixture into the shells, don't over fill them too much. Do this till the mixture is finished, I had about 8 shells left over. Ladle the sauce on top of the shells and a sprinkle of grated parmesan.
Cover with foil and place them in the oven for 30 - 35 minutes, then remove the foil and cook for a further 5 minutes.
My Tip: Unlike lasagna we don't want to cook these uncovered for too long, if the bare pasta gets too crispy it becomes more glass like and it's not so pleasant to eat.
Add some caramalised pumpkin in the mix too, there's not much flavour from it but it adds a beautiful sweetness. Just grate your pumpkin and add it with the onions, still add the water and once it's cooked then you can add the spinach.
Enjoy x
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