Description
These spicy unstuffed shells are a delicious twist on a classic Italian dish. The jumbo pasta shells are filled with a flavorful mixture of spicy Italian chicken sausage, shallots, garlic, and herbs, then topped with whipped ricotta and fresh basil.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound jumbo pasta shells
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 pound ground spicy Italian chicken sausage
- 3 shallots thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano or 1 tablespoon fresh oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 14 ounces crushed tomatoes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups chopped greens such as kale, spinach, or chard
- 1 cup fresh basil roughly chopped
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon about 3 tablespoons juice
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese whipped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
- Prepare Filling: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add spicy Italian chicken sausage, shallots, and garlic. Cook until sausage is browned.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, tomato paste, and crushed tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Add Greens and Lemon: Stir in chopped greens, basil, lemon zest, and juice. Cook until greens are wilted.
- Assemble: Fill cooked pasta shells with the sausage mixture.
- Serve: Top with whipped ricotta and additional basil before serving.
Notes
- You can customize the level of spiciness by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes used.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg