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Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Pasta

March 6, 2018 by Lovoni | 1 Comment

Spinach & ricotta stuffed pasta shells are nestled in a robust tomato sauce for a rustic, wholesome meal that’s so good you won’t even miss the meat. 

Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells

Although this recipe has a few steps: cooking the pasta, making the filling & the chunky tomato sauce, it’s relatively easy, requires no kitchen mastery, easy to access ingredients & can be made ahead & frozen. All pluses in my book. Just a word about the nutrition count: I’m at the mercy of a program that is included with the recipe template I use. Sadly it can’t always distinguish the imperial, metric & cup measure given & will add them together. The calorie count, carbs etc, are much lower than the recipe will have you believe, if you’re into counting calories that is. Barilla pasta give the calories on five jumbo pasta shells as 170. And my serving is two or three per serve. Cream is 20 to 50 calories per serve, depending on whether you’re serving four or 5. Ricotta cheese is about 140 calories per serving (per serving, not shell). And such, so you can see that I estimate the calories about 380 to 430 for three shells.  

Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells

Granted filled pasta shells are nothing new but this recipe is excellent, something I think people will make again & again because it is so good. Fairly humble in its ingredients it tastes like something you’d order at an Italian restaurant.

Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells

I was avoiding pasta for the longest time during my countless on again off again low carb phases. Since I’ve stopped all the crazy dieting & I’ve cut back on meat, I’ve found I’m cooking more & more from scratch & enjoying a wider varieties of meals, including pasta. I still eat meat once in awhile but I try to source it locally from farms that raise their animals in an ethical, comfortable way. It costs a little more to buy but considering my hubby & I aren’t consuming meat every day I found I’m saving on our grocery bill. 

Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells

These are the pasta shells I used but use whatever jumbo shells are available. And whilst the recipe only calls for 15 shells, cook the whole packet or box. There were 18 shells in the packet I bought & I did cook them all but a few tore because they stuck to the bottom of the pot – thankfully I was left was 15. 

Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells

I’ve made this recipe twice in the last week & it’s true what I said, you don’t miss the meat (if you’re a meat-eater). I’m married to a Mid Western boy who loves his steak & he thoroughly enjoyed this with a simple salad & crusty, homemade bread. It’s such a delicious meal whether you’re making dinner for your family or entertaining. Give it a crack & let me know what you think. Until next time, toodles, Lovoni xo. Oh & if you love to make your own pasta, then check out this Walnut Oregano Pesto with Homemade Pasta recipe. 

a pinterest pic to share

Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells

Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells
2018-03-06 08:42:01
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Ingredients
  1. SPINACH & RICOTTA FILLING
  2. 15 jumbo pasta shells (cook some extra in case some fall apart)
  3. 1 tablespoon olive oil
  4. 1/2 cup diced onion
  5. 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  6. 4 generous handfuls baby spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
  7. 2 cups ricotta
  8. 1/2 cup heavy cream
  9. 1 large egg
  10. 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  11. pinch of salt & pepper
  12. 1.3 oz (36g) freshly grated parmesan (about 1 cup)
  13. CHUNKY TOMATO SAUCE
  14. 1 tablespoon olive oil
  15. 1 cup diced onion
  16. 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  17. 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  18. 1 to 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper (chili flakes)
  19. 2 x 14 oz (398ml) cans whole peeled tomatoes, not drained
  20. pinch of salt, pepper & sugar
  21. 1.3 oz (36g) freshly grated parmesan (about 1 cup)
Instructions
  1. To make the filling: Cook the pasta shells according to package directions. Drain them & rinse them under cool water so they won’t stick together. Tossing them in olive oil will also help to prevent them sticking. I always cook a few extra (there was 18 in the packet) two or 3 of them sometimes fall apart.
  2. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add onion & cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add garlic & cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.
  3. Add spinach & cook, stirring until spinach is just wilted; remove from heat & let cool. Don’t overcook the spinach, doing that makes it lose water. Cook spinach until just wilted & immediately remove from the heat.
  4. Combine ricotta, cream, egg, nutmeg, salt & pepper in a medium bowl. Add spinach mixture & parmesan & stir until well combined. The mixture is quite wet, a bit like a cake batter.
  5. To make the sauce: Preheat the oven to 375F (190C). Grease a 9 x 13 inch (23 x 33cm) baking dish.
  6. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook onion for about 5 minutes or until softened. Add garlic & cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add tomato paste & cook, stirring for 1 minute to cook the paste.
  7. Add red pepper & tomatoes with their juice. Use a wooden spoon or a potato masher to break up tomatoes, leaving some chunks. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes or until sauce has thickened a little. Season with a pinch of salt, pepper & sugar.
  8. Spread approximately 2/3 of the mixture over the base of the baking dish. Spoon filling into each pasta shell & arrange in a single layer on the tomato sauce, using some of the tomato chunks to help the shells stand upright. Dollop remaining tomato sauce around & on top of filled shells. Sprinkle with parmesan. Bake, uncovered, for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown & sauce is bubbling.
Notes
  1. Serve with a tossed salad & crusty bread.
By Lovoni
Fresh Hunger https://freshhunger.com/

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Filed Under: Food for sharing, Lunch, Mains, Make-ahead & Freeze, popular, Soups, Stews & Casseroles, Vegetarian, Weekend indulgence Tagged With: main meal, pasta, ricotta & spinach filled pasta, spinach, vegetarian

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Well hello there…

I’m Lovoni – food stylist, cookbook author, once-upon-a-time TV cooking show host, food photographer, gypsy & serial dieter. Really, I’m just greedy with a passion for good food, made right. I believe wholesome food is something to take pleasure in without guilt. I love simple living, whimsy & adventures.

 

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It’d be such fun if you joined along. I know we all have those cookbooks that sit collecting dust. Well time to use them or pitch them. Or treat yourself & buy some new ones. Finding recipes online is convenient but never the same as holding a gorgeous cookbook in your hands. 
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https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/13/broccoli-and-loaded-potato-soup/
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.
.
.
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#soupweather #freshhunger #getcozy #potatoes #loadedbakedpotato #lovepotatoes #soupweather #whatsforlunch #onmytable #inmykitchen #broccoli
Finnish Mustard - move over every other mustard I’ve ever loved, this is my new favourite. The recipe is an adaptation of @tessakiros from #fallingcloudberries a cookbook I highly recommend. If a mustard can be decadent then this is it. It’s also so simple to make. 
I purged many of my cookbooks recently. I’m replacing some with cookbooks I want to cook from and will make a point of using. Beth from @oldetymemarketplace along with @downshilohroad & @myrustichouse have started a fun hashtag to encourage us to make & share recipes from our cookbooks #friendswhocookwithabook 
It’d be such fun if you joined along. I know we all have those cookbooks that sit collecting dust. Well time to use them or pitch them. Or treat yourself & buy some new ones. Finding recipes online is convenient but never the same as holding a gorgeous cookbook in your hands. 
If like me you love mustard I urge you to try this mustard recipe. It’s divine. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/12/finnish-mustard/

.
.
.
#mustard #madefromscratch #hotmustard #colmansmustard #colmans #condiment #onmytable #inmykitchen #freshhunger #lovoni #feedfeed @thefeedfeed #foodstylist #cookbookauthor #recipewriter #foodphotographer
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Meanwhile, here’s the recipe for this yummy & really easy to make dessert. 

https://freshhunger.com/2020/11/21/quick-and-easy-tiramisu/

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.
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.
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#foodstyling #foodstylist #foodstyingtips #whippedcream #swirls #chocolate #tiramisu #desserts #creamy #creamydessert #onmytable #inmykitchen #lovoni #freshhunger
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https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/08/slow-cooked-miso-beef-with-noodles/
~
Happy Friday. Stay warm xo 😘 
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.
.
#miso #slowcooker #slowfood #beef #beefstew #beefbroth #lomein #noodles #slurp #freshhunger #lovoni  #wholesome #shiitake #bokchoy #onmytable
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Here’s the link to this vibrant recipe. I really enjoyed it for dinner last night & last week. Serve it up with some steamed jasmine rice. So good.

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/06/sweet-chili-miso-salmon/
.
.
.
.
.
#freshstart #freshhunger #freshveggies #salmon #miso #chilisauce #wholesome #vibrant #dietsdontwork #stopdieting #onmytable #inmykitchen
Armenian Nutmeg Cake might not be a looker but don Armenian Nutmeg Cake might not be a looker but don’t be fooled, this cake is divine. A brown sugar shortbread like base with a buttery soft, cake crumbly topping.  It’s been one of my most favorite cakes since I can remember.  New on Fresh Hunger today. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/16/armenian-nutmeg-cake/
.
.
.
#freshhunger #lovoni #armeniannutmegcake #nutmeg #spice #instabaking #baking #onmytable #inmykitchen #baking #buttery #delicious
Broccoli and Loaded Potato Soup - new recipe on Fr Broccoli and Loaded Potato Soup - new recipe on Fresh Hunger today.  Creamy & hearty and certain to chase away at least some of those winter chills. Cozy up with a bowl & a good book for a perfect lunch. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/13/broccoli-and-loaded-potato-soup/
.
.
.
.
.
#soupweather #freshhunger #getcozy #potatoes #loadedbakedpotato #lovepotatoes #soupweather #whatsforlunch #onmytable #inmykitchen #broccoli
Finnish Mustard - move over every other mustard I’ve ever loved, this is my new favourite. The recipe is an adaptation of @tessakiros from #fallingcloudberries a cookbook I highly recommend. If a mustard can be decadent then this is it. It’s also so simple to make. 
I purged many of my cookbooks recently. I’m replacing some with cookbooks I want to cook from and will make a point of using. Beth from @oldetymemarketplace along with @downshilohroad & @myrustichouse have started a fun hashtag to encourage us to make & share recipes from our cookbooks #friendswhocookwithabook 
It’d be such fun if you joined along. I know we all have those cookbooks that sit collecting dust. Well time to use them or pitch them. Or treat yourself & buy some new ones. Finding recipes online is convenient but never the same as holding a gorgeous cookbook in your hands. 
If like me you love mustard I urge you to try this mustard recipe. It’s divine. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/12/finnish-mustard/

.
.
.
#mustard #madefromscratch #hotmustard #colmansmustard #colmans #condiment #onmytable #inmykitchen #freshhunger #lovoni #feedfeed @thefeedfeed #foodstylist #cookbookauthor #recipewriter #foodphotographer
QUICK & EASY TIRAMISU - a quick word to anyone who QUICK & EASY TIRAMISU - a quick word to anyone who has to add whipped cream to a recipe that’s having its pic taken - never use canned cream. You know the shit in a can I’m talking about?! That stuff breaks down quickly & is total crap. You need to whip the cream yourself and, you need to stabilize it with some powdered sugar. And don’t over whip the cream. Whip 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream in a cold bowl until it’s starting to thicken, add about 1/3 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar, whip until soft peaks form & then you can make great swirls, dollops or pipe it & it’ll behave & stay looking good to have its pic taken. Perfect swirls & dollops = pretty pics. 

Meanwhile, here’s the recipe for this yummy & really easy to make dessert. 

https://freshhunger.com/2020/11/21/quick-and-easy-tiramisu/

.
.
.
.
.
#foodstyling #foodstylist #foodstyingtips #whippedcream #swirls #chocolate #tiramisu #desserts #creamy #creamydessert #onmytable #inmykitchen #lovoni #freshhunger
SLOW COOKED MISO BEEF WITH NOODLES - okay so I’v SLOW COOKED MISO BEEF WITH NOODLES - okay so I’ve had a bit of a run on miso this week. I have a LOT of it in the fridge. This recipe is so easy, only a handful of ingredients and the slow cooker does almost all the work for you.  I do love a good noodle slurping session & this recipe is perfect for it. Here’s the recipe link or click on the link in my bio.

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/08/slow-cooked-miso-beef-with-noodles/
~
Happy Friday. Stay warm xo 😘 
.
.
.
#miso #slowcooker #slowfood #beef #beefstew #beefbroth #lomein #noodles #slurp #freshhunger #lovoni  #wholesome #shiitake #bokchoy #onmytable
SWEET CHILI MISO SALMON & STIR-FRIED VEGGIES - who SWEET CHILI MISO SALMON & STIR-FRIED VEGGIES - who made new year’s resolution to go on a diet? God I’ve been on so many bloody diets. They work of course, as long as one stays on diet of choice. Kudos to those who do. As a mere mortal & coupled with my recipe testing, writing, styling & such I can’t, nor do I want to, eliminate whole food groups from my diet. I fail miserably at it. Then I beat myself up. And the vicious cycle goes around & around. My health - physical & mental & business are my main focuses this year. Diets are kicked to the curb along with negative self-talk. Enough already.  Wholesome foods, moving my body with exercise that makes me happy & I want to do is key. Who else feels the same? 
Here’s the link to this vibrant recipe. I really enjoyed it for dinner last night & last week. Serve it up with some steamed jasmine rice. So good.

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/06/sweet-chili-miso-salmon/
.
.
.
.
.
#freshstart #freshhunger #freshveggies #salmon #miso #chilisauce #wholesome #vibrant #dietsdontwork #stopdieting #onmytable #inmykitchen

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