Northern Italian Pasta Shells

Submitted by HappyMommy1422

"This is from Paula Deen's show on Food Network. I've made this once and was pleased with the results because it doesn't have ricotta cheese which I've never cared much for. I cut back on the amount of onion in my version, only using one (sted of two as written). Next time, I'm going to use Italian sausage rather than ground beef as the meat. You could probably leave out the meat for a vegetarian version."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 30mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 8

ingredients

• 3 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach
• 3 lbs ground round
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 2 large onions, chopped
• grated parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper
• 2 eggs
• 1 (1 lb) package jumbo pasta shells
• 2 cups tomato sauce (your own or ready-made)

directions

1. Place frozen spinach in a strainer and run under hot water until thawed.
2. Squeeze all of the water out and place in a large bowl.
3. In a large saute pan, cook the ground round until browned.
4. Drain meat, reserving 2 tablespoons fat in the pan, and place meat in the same bowl with the spinach.
5. Stir in the cream cheese until blended with the meat and spinach (I used my hands).
6. Saute the chopped onions in the reserved meat fat until transparent.
7. Transfer onions to the bowl with the other ingredients and stir to combine.
8. Add grated cheese, salt, and pepper, to taste, and combine.
9. Let mixture cool and then add the eggs.
10. The filling can be made up to 1 day in advance and refrigerated until ready to use.
11. When you're ready to make the shells, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
12. Cook pasta shells in boiling, salted water until al dente.
13. Drain and cool to the touch.
14. Stuff the shells with the meat mixture.
15. Place shells in a large baking pan and cover with tomato sauce.
16. Cover with foil and bake for approximately 1 hour.