Spinach Ricotta And Tofu Optional Stuffed Shells Oamc Recipes

SPINACH, RICOTTA AND TOFU (OPTIONAL) STUFFED SHELLS (OAMC)

Steps:

• Cook pasta shells according to box directions, drain and rinse with cool water. Set aside.
• Sautee onions and garlic over medium, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent (careful not to burn garlic). Take off of heat and allow to cool off a bit.
• Mash together spinach, tofu, Ricotta cheese, 1 cup Parmesan cheese, eggs, onions and garlic, s&p and nutmeg.
• Fill shells generously, about a heaping tablespoon each. You can modify as you go.
• ***TO FREEZE:*** Put shells on a baking sheet so that they are not touching. Freeze uncovered for about 20 minutes, then toss into a freezer bag. This way they will not stick together.
• To bake shells right away: Preheat oven to 350. Spread a few tablespoons spaghetti sauce on the bottom of a large casserole. Put shells in, filling-side up. Top with remaining sauce and parmesan cheese. Cook covered for 30 minutes and uncovered for 5 or 10 minutes.

SPINACH-RICOTTA STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes; season with salt. (You should have about 4 heaping cups of sauce.)
• Make the stuffed shells: Preheat the oven to 375˚ F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook as the label directs for baking, about 9 minutes. Rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Spread out on a baking sheet.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and cook, tossing occasionally, until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a large plate lined with a kitchen towel. Squeeze to remove any excess liquid, then finely chop.
• Put the spinach in a large bowl and add the ricotta, mozzarella, parsley, Parmesan, lemon zest, beaten egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Stir until combined.
• To assemble, spread about half of the sauce in the bottom of a 10-by-14-inch baking dish. Evenly fill the shells with the spinach-ricotta mixture using a spoon, or pipe it in using a pastry bag. Arrange the shells side by side, open-side up, in the baking dish on top of the sauce, then top with the remaining sauce.
• Cover the dish with foil and bake until heated through and the sauce is simmering around the edges, about 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until any shells or cheese poking through the sauce are lightly browned in spots, about 10 more minutes. Let sit 10 minutes. Top with more Parmesan and red pepper flakes.

BASIC MEAT FILLED STUFFED SHELLS- OAMC

Steps:

• Cook shells according to package directions.
• Brown meat; drain.
• Mix together all ingredients in large bowl.
• Fill each shell with about 2 tbsp meat mixture.
• Place in foil lined pan in single layer. Cover with foil, freeze.
• To prepare:.
• Thaw, cover with spaghetti sauce and recover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Or if still frozen, cover with sauce and foil and bake at 350 degrees for about 2 hours or until hot and bubbly.