Description
Delight in the flavors of Spicy Unstuffed Shells with Whipped Ricotta, a comforting yet zesty dish that brings together pasta, spicy Italian sausage, fresh greens, and a creamy whipped ricotta topping.
Ingredients
1 pound jumbo pasta shells
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ pound ground spicy Italian chicken sausage
3 shallots thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic finely chopped
2 teaspoons dried oregano or 1 tablespoon fresh oregano
2 teaspoons dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
6 ounces tomato paste
14 ounces crushed tomatoes
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 cups chopped greens such as kale
spinach
or chard
1 cup fresh basil roughly chopped
Zest and juice of 1 lemon about 3 tablespoons juice
1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese whipped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground spicy Italian chicken sausage and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the shallots and garlic to the skillet, sautéing until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the oregano, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for another minute.
- Add the tomato paste and crushed tomatoes, mixing until combined. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Fold in the chopped greens and fresh basil, cooking until the greens are wilted.
- In a separate bowl, combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, and whipped ricotta cheese; mix until smooth.
- In a baking dish, layer the sausage and tomato mixture, then place the cooked pasta shells on top. Spread the whipped ricotta evenly over the shells.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.
- Serve warm, garnished with additional fresh basil if desired.
Notes
For extra creaminess, you can add more whipped ricotta on top before serving. Feel free to adjust the spices to your heat preference.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 3g
Keywords: Spicy Unstuffed Shells, Whipped Ricotta, Pasta, Easy Dinner, Italian Recipe