Spicy Unstuffed Shells with Whipped Ricotta Recipe
These Spicy Unstuffed Shells with Whipped Ricotta offer a twist on traditional stuffed shells by packing in bold flavors and a creamy ricotta topping. The spicy Italian chicken sausage adds a kick, while the whipped ricotta balances it out with a velvety finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop, Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Jumbo Pasta Shells:
- 1 pound
- Jumbo pasta shells
Sauce:
- 6 tablespoons
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Spicy Italian chicken sausage
- Shallots
- Garlic
- Dried oregano or fresh oregano
- Dried thyme or fresh thyme
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Tomato paste
- Crushed tomatoes
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Chopped greens (kale, spinach, or chard)
- Fresh basil
- Lemon zest and juice
- Whole milk ricotta cheese (whipped)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, boil salted water. Cook pasta shells until al dente. Reserve pasta water.
- Prepare the Sauce: Brown sausage in olive oil. Add shallots, garlic, herbs, and spices. Cook until caramelized.
- Add the Tomatoes: Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and pasta water. Simmer until thickened. Add greens.
- Combine Pasta & Sauce: Mix pasta shells and basil into the sauce.
- Make Lemon Basil Drizzle: Combine olive oil, basil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt.
- Serve: Spread whipped ricotta in bowls, top with pasta, and drizzle with lemon basil mixture.
Notes
- You can customize the level of spice by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Feel free to add grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Spicy Unstuffed Shells, Whipped Ricotta, Italian-inspired pasta, Stovetop pasta dish
