Cheese Stuffed Shells With Beef and Tomato Sauce

Submitted by Semra22

"This is a recipe from Canadian Living magazine. It's very hearty with the beef in the sauce. You could also omit the beef if you want a vegetarian dish."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 15mins
• Ingredients: 23
• Serves: 8

ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (can substitute vegetable oil)
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 pinch salt and pepper
• 1 pinch hot pepper flakes
• 1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
• 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (340 g) box jumbo pasta shells
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1⁄4 cup grated parmesan cheese

• Filling

• 1 (300 g) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 (475 g) container ricotta cheese
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper

directions

1. In shallow Dutch oven, heat half of the oil over medium-high heat; cook beef, breaking up with spoon, for 5 minutes or until no longer pink. With slotted spoon, transfer to bowl. Drain any fat from pan.
2. Add remaining oil to pan; sauté onions and garlic for 5 minutes. Add basil, oregano, hot pepper flakes, salt, pepper, tomatoes and tomato sauce. Return beef to pan; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring often, for 20 to 25 minutes or until thickened.
3. Meanwhile, in large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until tender but firm. Drain and rinse under cold water; drain well and place on damp tea towel.
4. Filling: Meanwhile, in bowl, combine spinach, ricotta, 1 cup Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, parsley, onions, eggs, basil, nutmeg, and pepper.
5. Pour half of the beef and tomato sauce into 13- x 9-inch (3 L) glass baking dish. Spoon heaping 1 tbsp (15 mL) filling into each pasta shell. Arrange snugly, stuffed side up, in dish. Spoon remaining sauce over top; sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheeses. Cover with foil.
6. Bake in 350°F (180°C) oven for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 20 minutes or until heated through.