Spring Baked Shells

30 mins
Serves 8
tiktok.com

Directions

  1. 1Boil a large pot of salted water.
  2. 2Boil the asparagus and green beans for about 2 minutes.
  3. 3Remove the asparagus and green beans from the pot and set aside.
  4. 4Add the pasta to the same salted water and cook to al dente according to the package instructions.
  5. 5While the pasta is boiling, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  6. 6Mix together ricotta, heavy cream, grated parmesan, lemon zest, grated garlic, salt, pepper, and chili flakes in a bowl.
  7. 7Drain the pasta and keep it in the pot.
  8. 8Add the ricotta mixture to the pasta in the pot and toss until well combined.
  9. 9Stir the blanched vegetables (asparagus and green beans) back into the pasta mixture.
  10. 10Transfer the whole mixture to a greased baking dish.
  11. 11Top the mixture with torn mozzarella.
  12. 12Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes.
  13. 13Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes, until it's nice and browned and bubbly.
  14. 14Finish for 2 minutes in the broiler until nice and browned.
  15. 15Garnish with a squeeze of lemon and chopped chives.
  16. 16Serve with a salad, such as arugula.

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch asparagus
  • 1 cup green beans
  • 12 ounces large shells pasta
  • 16 ounces ricotta
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup grated parmesan
  • lemon zest
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1 pinch salt
  • pepper
  • chili flakes
  • 8 ounces mozzarella, torn
  • chives
  • arugula

Equipment

potcolanderbowlgraterbaking dishaluminum foilovenserving bowlsalad bowl

Tips

  • Adding cream and cheese to vegetables does not take away from the nutrients that the vegetables have.
  • I'm a nutrition by addition kind of girl.
  • You could add spinach to the mixture.