Baked Stuffed Pasta Shells
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 packet shell pasta
Filling
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 400 grams ground meat
- 2 green onions chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1/2 cup mushrooms chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup parsley chopped
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
Tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 large sweet red bell pepper finely chopped
- 4 large tomatoes peeled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup basil chopped
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon crushed chili
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
Preparation
In a deep pot, place a generous amount of water. Add one tablespoon of salt and one tablespoon of corn oil. Place the pot on medium heat until the water boils strongly.
Add the pasta. Let the pasta cook until it doubles in size and is fully cooked. Drain the pasta from the water.
For the filling: In a wide skillet, place the oil. Place the skillet on medium heat. Add the meat. Stir the meat until its water evaporates. Add the onion and stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic, bell pepper, mushrooms, salt, oregano, basil, and black pepper. Stir the ingredients for 2 to 3 minutes. Let the meat cool slightly then add the parsley and cheese. Stir to mix.
For the tomato sauce: In a wide skillet, place the oil. Place the skillet on medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, mushrooms, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, sugar, black pepper, basil, oregano, crushed chili, and vinegar. Stir the ingredients for 3 minutes. Add about 1 to 2 cups of water and let the sauce cook for 10 to 15 minutes.
Prepare individual oven dishes. Spread the tomato sauce in the dishes.
Using a small spoon, fill the pasta shells with the meat mixture. Place the stuffed shells on the sauce in the dishes. Spread mozzarella cheese. Cover the dishes with aluminum foil. Place in a wide tray.
Position the rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
Place the stuffed pasta shells in the oven for 30 minutes then serve.
