hello, darling. did you miss me? i bet you did.
i have, apparently, decided i am not capitalizing anything in this post... hmm.
i can't quite remember what inspired me to make this dish. i probably saw a picture of Manacotti somewhere during the week and it stuck with me.
and that, my friends, is the power of advertising. probably. i'm not sure, as i don't really remember.
but all week i was jonesing for some cheesy stuffed shell pasta. i like cheese, but i also like a lot of flavor in my pasta dishes. so i decided to make a homemade pesto to mix in with the ricotta in this dish. it was a big hit with my family so i'm going to go ahead and call this one a success. like a B+ or so. my only regret is i should have made more sauce.
i always want more sauce. it's a thing with me. i pretty much want soup with my pasta. is that so wrong... i think not.
for the pesto i used: 1/4 cup spinach, 5-6 fresh basil leaves, a handful (maybe 1/8 cup) blanched almond slivers, 2-3 tablespoons minced garlic, juice from 1/2 lemon and 4-5 tablespoons olive oil.
just stick all the ingredients in the food processor, pulse and you got pesto!
combine the pesto with 10-12 ounces of ricotta cheese to make the filling.
cook a box of large shell pasta according to the directions. drain, rinse and let them cool enough to be handled. then place the shells in a casserole dish and fill with the pesto filling.
now top with a tomato sauce. you can make your own or use a store bought variety that you prefer. i made mine using this recipe (minus the cream and onion). then top with a little mozzarella cheese and bake at 350 F for 15-18 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
i served this along with some Olive Baguettes (recipe will be shared later this month via a guest post) but i also think this would be a great dinner paired with a simple salad.
xo. emma
you're not alone with your passion for soupy pasta, it's how i like it too. i'm making this lovely looking pasta of your for meat free monday tonight. thank you :)
Posted by: Jacci Hall | February 28, 2011 at 06:21 AM
This was soooo good! I just loved it and want more...............more I tell you, more.............
Posted by: DaddyDonnie | February 28, 2011 at 07:59 AM
it's not even 10am and you are making me drool! i will be making this later on in the week... i LOVE the pesto + red sauce combo! (and yes, LOTS of red sauce!!)
Posted by: kate | February 28, 2011 at 08:50 AM
i recently found out that i love pesto! so i must try out this recipe soon. ohhh yes!
Posted by: jooleedoh | February 28, 2011 at 09:11 AM
I DID miss you :) thanks for sharing this looks great!
Posted by: lauren | February 28, 2011 at 10:46 AM
Looks FAB! May have to rearrange the weekly menu to fit this in for this week! And, yes, I did miss you. Don't stay gone so long!
Posted by: Beth | February 28, 2011 at 11:36 AM
This looks yummy, Emma. I love Ricotta and Pesto so this sounds perfect. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: eeny | February 28, 2011 at 01:06 PM
It was fate!!!! I already planned on making stuffed shells for dinner NOW I'm going to make them with pesto! Brillant! Gotta go cook now!
Posted by: Amanda | February 28, 2011 at 04:41 PM
these look SO good!
Posted by: Kellie | February 28, 2011 at 08:32 PM
That looks delicious. Can't wait for the olive bread recipe
Posted by: Rachel | March 1, 2011 at 05:12 AM
well, now I want to make this! *goes to make shopping list...*
Posted by: Kaitlyn | March 1, 2011 at 09:48 PM
I'm totally making this. My husband loves this kind of food. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Erin | March 1, 2011 at 11:08 PM
We made this last night, except used lots of chopped spinach and basil and garlic instead of the pesto, and a store-bought passatta instead of homemade sauce. I'm going to be eating it for days! SO amazing.
Posted by: Ally | March 3, 2011 at 06:36 PM
We had this for dinner tonight and it was delicious. Thanks!
Posted by: Fevervignettes | March 9, 2011 at 08:01 PM
Made these for dinner last night! They turned out just delicious... and made plenty of leftovers for lunch today! :)
http://littlemisslovelyvintage.blogspot.com
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