MEAT FILLING:
16 oz. fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped
>Sauté in 1 Tbsp. olive oil until wilted & most liquid is evaporated; drain excess liquid, put aside
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 – 3/4 cup extra dry vermouth
>Sauté onion until translucent – about 4 or 5 minutes; add garlic, cook for 1 minute; add vermouth, sauté an additional minute; add all to the bowl with the spinach and set aside.
1 1/2 lbs. of each ground
Chicken (or Pork)
Veal (or Turkey)
Chuck
1/4 cup beef broth
>In the same pan used to cook onion and garlic, sauté meat, stirring constantly and breaking it up, adding beef broth to help it remain a crumbly texture. Remove from heat.
1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
3 Tbsps. fresh dill, finely chopped (Note: chop fresh dill, store in freezer in airtight container)
1/4 cup scallions (green onions), finely chopped
2 tsps. fresh basil, finely chopped
2 Tbsps. oregano
1 Tbsp. kosher salt
1 Tbsp. pepper
>Stir in all of the above and while the mixture is cooling, cook pasta shells.
5 oz. grated parmesan
1 cup Mozzarella, shredded
1 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs
3 eggs, slightly beaten
Cooked chopped spinach/onions/garlic mixture that was set aside
>Add to meat mixture and stir to combine to complete the filling
PASTA SHELLS:
1 1/2 – 12 oz. box of jumbo No.95 pasta shells like Ronzoni or similar (about 30 shells per box) OR Manicotti or Cannelloni shells.
>Bring water to boil in large saucepan, add 3 Tbsps. salt, add shells and stir occasionally, when water returns to boiling, turn down heat and simmer shells 9 minutes, then drain; place drained shells onto an olive-oiled baking sheet and toss to coat so that they do not dry out.
ASSEMBLY:
> Place about 1 1/2 cups Red Sauce in the bottom of a large baking dish. Stuff each shell 3/4 full and place shell seam side down in rows, shells touching. Pour just enough sauce on top of shells to keep them moist. Reserve any extra sauce for serving or other future pasta creation or freeze it. Shells should not be fully submerged. Cover the pan with foil and bake on 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Remove foil cover, then top with 1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano combined with 2 cups grated Mozzarella. Continue to bake just until top cheese is melted and bubbly – total bake time is normally about 40-45 minutes. Let cool 15-20 minutes prior to serving.
Serving Options:
Drizzle a squiggle of white Alfredo sauce over plated shells and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley/green scallions and large shards of Parmigiano.
OPTIONS:
Prepare one pan using Red Sauce and another using Alfredo sauce. Shells freeze well.
ENJOY!