Basil Stuffed Shells Recipes

THE BEST STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• For the marinara sauce: Heat the oil in a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, if using, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic has softened but not browned, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat, add the basil and dried oregano, partially cover and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened, about 45 minutes.
• Remove the basil sprig. If the sauce is still too chunky, mash the larger chunks of tomato with a potato masher. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool.
• For the shells and filling: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the dried pasta shells cook, stirring occasionally, until softened slightly but not cooked. (The pasta shells should flexible enough to be filled but remain very al dente; they will continue to cook during baking.) Drain, then run under cold water to stop cooking. Drain well again.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Mix together the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, parsley and egg in a large bowl until well combined and uniform. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Transfer the filling to a large disposable pastry bag or large resealable plastic bag (or use a spoon for filling directly from the bowl).
• Spread 2 1/2 cups of the marinara sauce in a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Snip off the end of the pastry bag and squeeze the filling into the shells one at a time. Arrange the shells open-side up in a tight single layer in the baking dish as you fill them. Top with the remaining marinara sauce. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake the shells until the sauce is bubbling throughout and the filling is heated through, about 35 minutes.
• Remove the foil from the pan and continue to bake for 10 more minutes to reduce the sauce. Let cool slightly before serving. Top with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook for half the cooking time on the package; make sure not to overcook. Drain and rinse in cool water. Set aside.
• In a bowl, mix together the ricotta, Romano, parsley, basil, egg, some salt and pepper and half of the Parmesan. Stir until combined.
• To assemble, coat the bottom of a baking dish with some sauce. Fill each half-cooked shell with the cheese mixture and place face-down on the sauce. Repeat with the shells until the cheese mixture is gone. Top the shells with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle on the mozzarella and extra Parmesan.
• Bake until hot and bubbly, 25 minutes. Serve with crusty French bread.

BASIL STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Mix the beaten eggs with the ricotta, parmesan and basil.
• Add seasonings and adjust to taste.
• Cook large pasta shells in 6 quarts boiling water till just tender. Drain and rinse in cold water.
• Stuff each shell with about 3 tbsp of filling and place in a casserole dish.
• Top with tomato sauce.
• Bake in a preheated 375° oven for about 25 minutes.

CHICKEN AND BASIL STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Season chicken w/ salt and pepper and drizzle w/ a little olive oil. Broil at 375°F for about a half an hour.
• Meanwhile boil shells per package instructions. Drain and place on wax paper.
• Sauté onion about 5 minutes, add garlic and saute 2 minutes more. cube chicken. divide cheese and mix all ingredients together, except marinara.
• Stuff shells.
• Place in 11 x 13 casserole dish.
• Pour marinara over shells. Top with remaining cheeses.
• Serve with a caeser salad and garlic bread!
• YUM!

EASY STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta shells according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water., Spread 1/2 cup sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Fill each shell with a meatball; place over sauce. Top with remaining sauce and the cheese., Bake, covered, 35 minutes. Uncover; bake until bubbly and cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes longer.