Silverbeet and Ricotta Stuffed Shell Bake

 

Cheesy stuffed silver beet pasta bake is the ultimate comfort food. As the weather becomes cooler and you start to cozy up at home make a big batch of this for the family.

INGREDIENTS

Tomato-based sauce:

  • 2-3 garlic cloves

  • 1 large brown onion

  • 500g HFM Passata sauce

  • 5 truss tomato’s (or 400g diced tomato can)

  • 1 tbsp fresh oregano leaves

  • ½ tbsp fresh thyme leaves

  • Olive oil

Pasta shell filling:

  • 1 bunch (420g) Silverbeet, washed

  • 350g large shell pasta

  • 1 cup (250g) fresh ricotta

  • 1/3 cup (35g) plus an extra hand full Parmesan cheese grated

  • ½ cup (60g) plus an extra hand full mozzarella cheese grated

  • Pinch nutmeg

  • 1 egg lightly beaten

  • pinch sea salt

 

METHOD

  1. Place a large pot of water on, and bring to the boil for the pasta. Preheat your oven to 180°C.

  2. Once the pasta water is boiling add the pasta along with a good pinch of sea salt. Cook until it just becomes al dente, you’re after it to still be firm and slightly undercooked. Once cooked, drain and drizzle over with olive oil to prevent them from sticking together.

  3. Saute the garlic and diced onion in a large deep pot with a good drizzle of olive oil. Sweat down until the onion becomes transparent.

  4. Add the diced or fresh tomatoes, thyme and oregano to the pot, place a lid on slightly ajar and allow to simmer down for 15-20 minutes.

  5. Stir through the passata sauce; allow to simmer for another 10-15 minutes. Turn off the heat and set aside while the pasta and filling are being made.

  6. Steam the silverbeet for 5-7 minutes, rinse in cold water, drain off any excess water and chop up finely.

  7. Add the cooked silverbeet into a mixing bowl along with the fresh ricotta,  grated mozzarella, grated parmesan cheese as well as the lightly beaten egg, a pinch of sea salt, and a pinch of nutmeg. Mix well until combined.

  8. Fill each pasta shell with 1-2 tsp of silverbeet mixture until all the shells are filled.

  9. Spoon out the tomato sauce into the base of a large ceramic baking dish.

  10. Arrange the stuffed pasta shells over facing upward. Sprinkle over with a handful of parmesan and a handful of mozzarella cheese. Bake in the oven uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until lightly golden and the cheese has melted, and the pasta is starting to become crispy around the edges.

  11. Serve hot from the oven. Enjoy!

 

Serve: 4

Prep time: 45- 50 minutes

Cook time: 25-30 minutes

Recipe, styling and photography by Bonnie Coumbe. Visit her site here & Instagram here.

Ingredients for Silverbeet and Ricotta Stuffed Shell Bake

Tomato Truss 5 Pieces

$2.79 ea
$3.99
 

Onion Brown Each

$1.00 ea
$4.99
 

Garlic Head Each

$2.00 ea
$19.99
 

Spinach Silverbeet Bunch Each

$1.99 ea
 

Fresh Herbs Thyme Punnet

$3.99 ea
 

Reggiano Parmigiano Parmesan Cheese 150-350g

$19.50 ea
$64.99
 

Harris Farm Passata 700g

$2.99 ea
 

Chef's Choice Organic Diced Tomatoes 400g

$2.49 ea
 
 

Alba Mozzarella Cheese 250g

$7.20 ea
 

Fresh Herbs Oregano Punnet

$3.99 ea