Oven Baked Spinach Ricotta stuffed Paccheri

Step 1

In a medium sauce pan heat up olive oil and garlic, when garlic starts to sizzle pour in tomato puree.

Step 2

Add water to container where tomato puree was and pour into pan.

Step 3

Toss in fresh basil broken up a bit by hand.

Step 4

Season with salt and pepper.

Step 5

Cover slightly and simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until sauce thickens.

Step 6

While sauce is simmering heat up oil with garlic, minced onion, and shallot, in a large sautee pan.

Step 7

When garlic starts to sizzle and onion/shallot are translucent, add in baby spinach a little at a time.

Step 8

As the spinach wilts keep adding until all the spinach is in the pan.

Step 9

Cook for about 10-15 minutes until nice and tender.

Step 10

Place spinach in a sieve and let drain.

Step 11

Chop spinach finely and place in a mixing bowl.

Step 12

Add in ricotta and egg, fold with a spatula until uniform.

Step 13

Toss in grated nutmeg.

Step 14

Sprinkle in Parmigiano and mix till well blended.

Step 15

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Step 16

In a large pot bring salted water to a boil.

Step 17

Place paccheri into boiling water and cook for 8 minutes.

Step 18

Drain and place in cold water to stop cooking.

Step 19

Drain again and set aside.

Step 20

Take two large baking dishes and spoon a good amount of tomato sauce onto the bottoms.

Step 21

Scoop filling mixture into a piping bag, and grab paccheri and slowly pipe filling holding the paccheri at the bottom so the filling does not fall out, and fill right to the top.

Step 22

Place filled paccheri onto the sauce and continue in this matter till all the paccheri are filled and placed side by side intio the dish.

Step 23

Take remaining sauce and spoon over paccheri.

Step 24

Sprinkle with a generous amount of grated Parmigiano.

Step 25

Top with a dusting of fine breadcrumbs, and finally a drizzle of olive oil.

Step 26

Cover and place in fridge overnight or for just a few hours.

Step 27

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F.

Step 28

Place dishes on middle rack and bake for 35 minutes: 15 minutes covered in foil and 15 minutes uncovered.

Step 29

At the end turn oven to a low broil and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes or until top is nice and crispy.

Step 30

Take out of oven, let sit for a few minutes, ready to serve.

Step 31

Enjoy!