Florentine Stuffed Shells Recipes

SIMPLY DELICIOUSIOSO STUFFED SHELLS FLORENTINE WITH SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Heat olive oil in a wide saute pan over medium-high flame. Add crumbled sausage and cook until no longer pink. Remove sausage from oil with a slotted spoon (reserve pan drippings), drain on paper towels, keep warm.
• In the sausage pan drippings, cook the onion until tender (3 to 4 minutes); add the garlic and cook until it "dances" ( additional minute or so). Drain and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. If desired, season with salt and cook shells according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Pour marinara sauce into a large saucepan; heat through.
• Spoon 1 cup of the marinara into the bottom of a large roasting pan. Reserve remaining marinara and keep warm.
• Cook spinach per package directions; drain well and squeeze dry. Mix with ricotta cheese, mozzarella, eggs, salt, Italian seasonings, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese in a large mixing bowl. Add cooked sausage, onions and garlic; give a good stir.
• Using a teaspoon, fill each shell with the mixture (DO NOT OVERSTUFF).
• If desired, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes over the top of each shell. Transfer shells to the prepared roasting pan; arranging them in a single layer.
• Cover with foil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese is heated through.
• Let the shells rest for five (5) minutes before serving. Serve with reserved marinara, warm crusty Italian bread and a freshly tossed spinach & vinegarette salad. Simply deliciousioso!

STUFFED SHELLS FLORENTINE (LOW FAT)

Steps:

• In large skillet, over medium-high heat, saute mushrooms, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning and pepper in margarine until tender.
• Remove from heat; stir in cottage cheese, spinach and egg beaters.
• Spoon mixture into shells.
• Spread 1/2 C sauce in bottom of 13X9X2 baking dish; arrange shells over sauce.
• Top with remaining sauce.
• Bake at 350 for 35 minutes, or until hot.
• Special Notes.
• You can make some substitions in this recipe. Use fat-free ricotta instead of the cottage cheese, and used light margarine.
• Nutrition info: Calories - 255 Total Fat - 2g. Fiber - 3 g.per serving.

FLORENTINE STUFFED SHELLS CARBONARA

Steps:

• Cook pasta in 4 quarts boiling salted water about 8 minutes, until tender, but firm. Drain well and cool slightly.
• Cut bacon into 1/2 inch pieces and saute until fat has rendered, about 5 minutes.
• Add the onion and saute until bacon is crispy and onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add half and half and stir continuously for about 2 minutes.
• Add parmesan and stir continuously for about 2 minutes. Season with pepper and nutmeg.
• In a large bowl put spinach, ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and combine.
• Lightly stuff shells with spinach mixture.
• Spoon 1/4 cup of sauce in 7x11 inch baking dish. Arrange filled shells in dish. Spoon on remaining sauce.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until heated through and bubbling. Garnish if desired. Serve.