Stuffed Shells

• servings: 4 servings
• active time: 20 minutes
• total time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

18 to 20 jumbo pasta shells

Extra-virgin olive oil (for drizzling)

5 ounces spinach

2 cups (16 ounces) ricotta cheese

1/4 cup grated pecorino cheese (more for sprinkling)

2 garlic cloves (grated)

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

3/4 teaspoon sea salt (more for the pasta water)

freshly ground black pepper

2 cups Marinara Sauce* (plus more for serving)

chopped parsley (for serving)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Place the spinach in a steamer basket and set over a pot with 1-inch of water. Bring the water to a simmer, cover, and let steam for 1 minute, until the spinach is wilted. Transfer to a strainer and squeeze out the excess water and chop the spinach.

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta shells for 10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and drizzle with a little olive oil to keep them from sticking together.

In a medium bowl, combine the spinach with the ricotta, pecorino, garlic, oregano, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, salt, and several grinds of pepper.

Spread the marinara in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Stuff each shell with the filling and place in the dish. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Serve with more marinara on the side.