Shells with Crispy Pancetta and Spinach
Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis
Prep Time:
25 min
Inactive Prep Time:
0 min
Cook Time:
25 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
Shells:
* 1 (12-ounce) package jumbo shells pasta
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1/2 pound thick-cut pancetta, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
* 2 pounds frozen spinach, thawed and drained THIS SHOULD BE 2 BOXES SPINACH
* 1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta 10 oz. each
* 1 cup grated asiago cheese YOU MIGHT DOUBLE CREAM FOR
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper more crreamier sauce
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Sauce:
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 1 garlic clove, minced
* 1 cup cream
* 2 cups grated asiago cheese, plus 1/4 cup
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
For the shells:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta.
Warm the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Remove the pancetta from the pan with a slotted spoon and transfer to a large bowl. Add the spinach, ricotta cheese, asiago cheese, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir to combine. Stuff the shells with about 2 tablespoons of the spinach mixture each and place the stuffed shells in a large, buttered baking dish.
For the sauce:
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the cream and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat to very low and add the 2 cups asiago cheese, parsley, and pepper. Stir until the cheese is dissolved. Pour the sauce over the shells. Top with the remaining 1/4 cup asiago cheese. Bake until golden on top, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Printed from FoodNetwork.com on Wed Apr 08 2009
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