Italian Stuffed Shells

My Momma looooves pasta!  

I've created this recipe to share this week and 

to keep Momma happy...

'cause everybody knows...

If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!  :)  

Hope you enjoy!    

 

 Italian Stuffed Shells

Five Cheese Marinara Sauce

2 cups marinara sauce

2 cups Alfredo sauce

1/2 cup ricotta cheese

1 cup Italian blend shredded cheese

1/4 cup red wine

 Filling

1 egg

15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese

1 (8 ounce) mozzarella cheese, grated

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1 cup 5 Italian cheese blend

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, blend

Noodles

Shells

1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs

Directions:

Blend first two marinara ingredients together in a large saucepan. 

Add remaining ingredients and 

heat on medium, stirring frequently.

The cheese will melt and the sauce will become creamy. 

Keep warm.

Set aside 1/4 of mozzarella cheese. 

Beat egg into a large mixing bowl and

 add all remaining ingredients, blending well. 

Keep refrigerated until you are ready to use.

Cook shells exactly according to package directions. 

Drain and rinse immediately with cold water 

so they are cool enough to handle.

When ready to make, spread about 1/4 cup of 

marinara sauce in a large 9×13 baking dish. 

Stuff each shell with the cheese mixture. 

 Cover each roll with remaining sauce, the remaining mozzarella cheese and top with Italian breadcrumbs.

Bake in preheated oven at 350 degree for about 35 minutes.

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The yummy ingredients...

Combine the sauces...these can be brands of your choice...

Add the ricotta...

and the shredded cheese...

the wine...

Cook low and slow until the cheese melts 

and everything is creamy....

Soon it will look like this...

Now...on to the filling...

In your bowl, combine the egg, 

remaining ricotta and mozzarella...

the remaining shredded Italian cheese...

and Parmesan...

toss in the Italian seasoning...

Stir well until the filling is all combined...

Get ready to cook the pasta shells....

Add a bit of olive oil to the water...

They're waiting...

Cook per directions on the box...

and drain...

I used my handy little scoop to fill the pasta shells 

with the filling...but use whatever it takes :)

How lovely! 

When all the shells are stuffed, pour the sauce over them...

Top it with the remaining  shredded cheese...

and the breadcrumbs...

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes...

Serve with these delicious pesto crescent pinwheels--

they were most incredible!  

--recipe below! :)

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Pesto Pinwheel Crescents

 1 roll of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

1/2 cup pesto sauce--of your choice

Unroll the crescent rolls and press into one rectangular sheet.  

Spread the pesto sauce over next.

Roll up and cut into 1/2 inch slices.

 Place in pie plate and bake 400 degrees 12-15 minutes.   

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The craziest 2 simple ingredients ever...

 Roll out the crescent dough and press the perforations together...

 Spread the pesto over next...

 Mmmm...

Roll it up...

Cut it into the little rounds...

 Place them in your pie plate...

Bake at 400 about 12-15 minutes until 

they  are wonderfully brown like this...

Enjoy!!