Large Shell Pasta With Ragu And Cream Recipes

MUSHROOM RAGù PASTA

Steps:

• Add the stock, heavy cream, porcini mushroom powder (if using), 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves and 2 teaspoons salt to a large pot. Bring to a boil over high.
• While the liquid comes to a boil, heat the oil over medium-high in a large (12-inch) nonstick skillet. Add the mushrooms, shallots, garlic and 2 teaspoons thyme leaves. Season generously with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and tender, about 12 minutes. Add the port, and stir until the alcohol cooks off and the mixture is almost dry, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, set aside and cover to keep warm.
• Add the pasta to the boiling cream mixture, reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently with tongs, until the pasta is al dente and absorbs most of the liquid, and the sauce is silky, 6 to 7 minutes. (Stir constantly during the last couple minutes to ensure the pasta cooks evenly. Add a splash of water if needed to keep the mixture glossy.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Transfer the pasta to bowls, top with the mushroom mixture and the remaining 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, and serve immediately.

LARGE SHELL PASTA WITH RAGU AND CREAM

Steps:

• RAGU:.
• In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the meat and cook until brown. Raise the heat to high and add the wine and let most of this evaporate. Lower the heat to medium and add the tomato sauce and cook uncovered for 15 minutes or until thick. Set aside.
• SAUCE:.
• Scald the 4 1/2 cups milk (bring to just under a boil) in a saucepan. Set aside. In another large saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour to make a smooth paste, and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the hot milk, and cook whisking until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Stir in the salt. Remove from heat and stir in the ragu until well blended. Transfer the ragu to a bowl, cover and refrigerat for several hours or you can make few days ahead. Cooling this long helps in stuffing shells.
• Preheat oven to 375.
• Bring 4 quarts of water to boil and stir in 1 tablespoon salt and the shells. Boil 4 minutes, drain in a colander and cool.
• Lightly butter a 14 x 8 inch baking dish. Using a spoon, fill the shells with the ragu mix and place them close together in baking dish.
• TOPPING:.
• Combine the 1/2 cup milk and heavy cream in a bowl. Slowly pour evenly over shells. Sprinkle the cheese over the top. Cover with Foil and bake for 45 minutes.