Shells Baked With Pesto Meat Sauce Recipes

SHELLS BAKED WITH PESTO-MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• heat oven to 400.
• oil a 13x9 baking dish.
• heat oil in a pan over med- high heat.
• cook onion until it starts to soften.
• add beef and cook until it is no longer pink.
• drain off any excess fat.
• add tomato and salt and bring to a simmer.
• cook about 10 minutes, until most of the tomato liquid evaporates.
• remove from heat and stir in the pesto.
• while all this is going on, you should be cooking your pasta in boiling, salted water.
• drain pasta and toss with the sauce.
• put 1/2 of the pasta in baking dish.
• top with 1/2 the mozzarella and 2 tbsp of the parmesan.
• layer the remaining pasta on top, topping it with the remaining cheeses.
• bake until bubbling.

BAKED SHELLS WITH PESTO, MOZZARELLA, AND MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Oil a large 9x13 baking dish.
• In a large frying pan, heat the oil over moderately low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring ocassional until it starts to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in the ground meat and cook, breaking it up, until browns, about 2 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
• Add the tomatoes and salt to the pan and bring to a simmer. Cook until most of the liquid evaporates, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the pesto.
• Meanwhile, cook the shells in a large pot of salted, boiling weater until just done, about 10 minutes. Drain and toss with the sauce. Put half of the pasta into the prepared baking dish and top with half the mozzarella and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan. Repeat with the remaining pasta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Bake until bubbling, about 15 minutes.

RICOTTA-STUFFED SHELLS WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Put a large pot of well-salted water over high heat, and bring to a boil. Add the pasta shells, put the lid on the pot to help water return to a boil, then remove lid, stir pasta and continue cooking, uncovered until al dente, usually abut 10 minutes. (It's better to err on the undercooked side than risk flabby pasta, so check early and often.)
• Remove pasta from pot and cool in a large bowl of water. Drain well and spread cooked shells on a baking sheet lined with a kitchen towel.
• Meanwhile, make the ricotta filling: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, eggs, scallions, parsley, thyme, lemon zest and juice, and crushed red pepper to taste. Add grated Parmesan and pecorino. Season well with salt and pepper and mix well to incorporate ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly oil a large shallow baking dish (use 2 dishes if necessary). Using a spoon or pastry bag, put about 1 tablespoon ricotta mixture into each pasta shell. Arrange the filled shells in one layer in the baking dish, packed closely together. Drizzle surface lightly with olive oil, or use a small brush to lightly paint each shell.
• Sprinkle top with 1/4 cup pecorino and bread crumbs and bake, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, until heated through, crisp and golden brown.
• To make the pesto, pulse basil, parsley, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender or food processor until roughly chopped. Add oil slowly and blend well. Add a little pepper, taste and adjust seasoning and transfer to a serving bowl.
• To serve, drizzle shells with a little pesto sauce and pass the rest at the table.