Food Network Scholar: Stuffed Shells

Television Feasts

I am a home cook who backyard gardens and has a serious closet addiction to the Food Network. I envision visiting the world in my own kitchen.

From Julia to Giada, I am a bi-product of the quirky world of anything food television. At age 10 I wanted to lunch with Julia; at 12 I thought sitting at Graham Kerr's table would be bliss; in college I was a diligent voyeur student of Jeff Smith's; and as a newlywed I envisioned myself being Martha. Then the sky opened up and violin music played in the background when I discovered an entire family of food shows on the blossoming food network. Twenty years later I am still a home chef with a backyard garden, yet in my head I am a trained chef who has eaten her way around the world, tasted all things exotic, competed in many challenges, judged the best of the best, and have a circle of friends which includes Emeril, Bobby, Rachael and more. I like to learn and challenge myself simply for the pleasure of all things food. I am a student of the University of Food Network and my textbooks, exams and extra-curricular activities all stem from channel 39.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Stuffed Shells

To go along with the garlic knots I made on Sunday, I made enough stuffed shells for both of the kids' households Monday. Old time cheesy pasta shells with homemade sauce and spinach. Throw in the salad and it was a meal that would remind them of home. I love the thought that each week I treat them to homemade meals. It is like a present when they open their basket to see what is for dinner.
There was a slight mishap with this week's dinner. Not that I want to rat anyone out.....but it seems my daughter sort of cheated her brother out of his delicious pan of shells....she claims she got her family's leftovers mixed up with his full pan of shells when he came to her house to pick up his dinner....well, she claims she did it by accident...although, she is always claiming possession is 9/10ths the law when it comes to what Mum puts in her fridge. We may never know the true story!

Stuffed Shells
printable recipe

1 (12 oz.) package of jumbo pasta shells
4 c. ricotta cheese
3 c. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
3/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 (10 oz.) package of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 T. dried basil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
3 c. pasta sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta according to package directions.
In a large bowl combine 2 c. mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, spinach, basil, salt and pepper.