Description
These Baked Harissa Ricotta Stuffed Shells offer a comforting and flavorful meal, combining Italian and North African flavors. Jumbo shells are filled with a creamy, spicy ricotta mixture and baked in a vibrant tomato basil sauce.
Ingredients
- Large Pasta Shells (250g / 9oz): Jumbo shells for holding the ricotta filling.
- Full-Fat Ricotta Cheese (400g / 14oz): Crucial for a creamy, rich filling.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (200g / 7 ¼oz): Provides cheesy pull and mild flavor.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese (50g / 1 ¾oz): Adds salty, umami depth.
- Harissa Paste (2 tbsp / 30ml): For smoky heat; adjust to taste.
- Large Egg (1): Acts as a binder for the filling.
- Olive Oil (2 tbsp / 30ml): For sauce and drizzling.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): A foundational flavor.
- Small Onion (1, diced): Forms the aromatic base of the sauce.
- Canned Crushed Tomatoes (800g / 28oz): Provides the body of the sauce.
- Sugar (1 tsp / 5ml, optional): To balance tomato acidity.
- Fresh Basil Leaves (10, chopped): For bright, herbaceous flavor.
- Pine Nuts (30g / 1oz, toasted): Adds crunch and nutty flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste.
Instructions
- Cook Pasta Shells: Boil shells until *al dente*, drain, rinse, and lay on parchment.
- Make Ricotta Filling: Combine ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, harissa, and egg; season.
- Stuff Shells: Fill each shell with ricotta mixture and arrange in a baking dish.
- Prepare Tomato Sauce: Sauté onion and garlic, then simmer with crushed tomatoes, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Combine & Bake: Fold basil into sauce, pour over shells, top with mozzarella, and bake covered for 25 minutes.
- Finish Baking: Remove foil and bake for 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Garnish & Serve: Drizzle with herb oil, garnish with pine nuts and basil.
Notes
For best results, use full-fat ricotta and don’t overcook the shells. Assembling ahead of time is possible; add baking time if starting cold.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: pasta, shells, ricotta, harissa, baked, italian, spicy, vegetarian, comfort food