Vegetarian stuffed shells made with a homemade spicy tomato sauce.
Prep Time 15minutes
Cook Time 45minutes
Servings 4
Ingredients
12oz.Jumbo pasta shells
15oz.Whole milk ricotta
1.5cupsShredded mozzarella
8oz.Cremini (baby bella) mushrooms chopped
3cupsBaby spinachchopped
1.5tspItalian seasoning
1tbspLemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
2 10 oz.Cans Tomato Love Mild
2tbspTomato paste
1/2Large onionrough chopped
3clovesGarlic
1tspItalian seasoning
1tspGround fennel seed
1tspSalt
handful of basil + more for serving
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. Add chopped mushrooms and cook until brown. Remove from heat. Add chopped spinach, Italian seasoning, and lemon juice. Mix together with ricotta and 1.5 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
Boil pasta shells al dente (2 minutes less than package directions). Drain and let cool then fill each shell with cheese filling.
Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy bottom pan. When hot add chopped onion, Tomato Love diced tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, chopped basil and salt. Cook partially covered on medium-low heat for about 25 minutes until the tomato sauce is reduced and thickened.
Line the bottom of an oven safe 9 x 13 inch casserole dish with tomato sauce. Place filled shells on top. Dollop any remaining sauce over shells and top with ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake covered for 20 minutes then uncovered for another 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and is golden brown. Garnish with chopped fresh basil.
Notes
For a smoother sauce place tomato sauce in a food processor and pulse until desired consistency is reached.