These Spinach and Manchego Stuffed Shells are loaded with flavors, easy to make and made with the simplest ingredients. Serve them next to a garden salad, a crunchy baguette and a bottle of Spanish wine for an incredible Mediterranean meal.
Serves 8
INGREDIENTS
12 oz jumbo pasta shells
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion
7 cloves garlic
1 carrot
14.5 oz can tomato sauce
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
15 oz ricotta cheese
1/2 lbs shredded Manchego cheese
1 egg
10 oz bagged spinach
2 tbsp finely grated mozzarella cheese
handful fresh parsley
pinch sea salt
dash black pepper
dash white sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
Fill a stock pot a little over half ways with water, season generously with sea salt and heat with a high heat
At the same time, heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add in 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, after 1 minute add in the onion finely chopped, the carrot (peeled) finely chopped and 6 cloves garlic roughly chopped, mix together, after 4 minutes add in the paprika, oregano and thyme, quickly mix together, then add in the canned tomato sauce and canned diced tomatoes, season with sea salt, black pepper and white sugar, mix together, then lower to a low heat and simmer
Once the water comes to a boil in the stock pot, add in the jumbo pasta shells, cook until al dente (check package instructions), then drain into a colander, shake off any excess water and transfer the shells into a baking tray, all in a single layer
Add the ricotta cheese into a food processor, along with the shredded Manchego cheese, 1 clove garlic and the egg, pulse until well mixed, then add in the spinach, in batches and pulse, once all the spinach has been incorporated, season with sea salt & black pepper, pulse once last time
Stuff the mixture into the pasta shells, about 2 spoonfuls per shell
After simmering the tomato sauce for 20 minutes and it has thickened up, remove from the heat, transfer into a casserole dish, place the stuffed shells over the tomato sauce, all in a single layer, cover with foil paper and add into a preheated oven, bake only option (bottom heat) 375 F
After 25 to 30 minutes remove from the oven, sprinkle with the grated mozzarella cheese and finely chopped parsley
