something fun =)

i enjoy being creative these days with food and decided to try something a little bit more challenging...STUFFED SHELLS with marinara sauce!! i was a little nervous but once i got to mixing, the masterpiece was coming together. the recipe is simple and easy to follow and super good in the end!

ingredients:

*jumbo pasta shells (i made about 7 stuffed shells and that was enough)

*1 tsp of salt

*1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese

*2 large eggs

*1 c grated Parmesan cheese

*2 c grated mozzarella cheese

*2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or mint (or 2 tsp dried)

*1 (26 oz) jar Italian pasta sauce

directions:

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees while bringing a large pot of water to boil. add 1 tsp salt and pasta shells to the boiling water. boil the shells for about 5 min. only so that they still feel firm (this will assist in the stuffing process). once they are finished run them unto cool water and allow to sit while you make the stuffing.

2. in a large bowl stir together: a) the ricotta cheese, b) eggs, c) Parmesan cheese, d) mozzarella cheese and e) parsley or mint. pour about 1 c of pasta sauce into the casserole dish you plan on using to give the bottom some flavor and prevent the stuffed shells from sticking. 

3. now for the fun part!!! take a spoon and begin to stuff the shells with the mix. place in the casserole dish side by side and spoon the remaining pasta sauce on top of the stuffed shells and bake uncovered for about 30 min. you can freeze some of these and cook again at a different time.

enjoy!! 

jo